Eight-year-old lioness Husani gave birth on Monday with the cubs and their mum doing well.

"She has been very attentive, licking and cleaning them and all five cubs have been moving around and we've seen them feeding and waddling around looking for mum's teat," assistant curator Anna Bennett said.

"Every birth at Monarto Safari Park is such a special event for us because our breeding programs are vital in raising awareness and securing the future of vulnerable species like African Lions."

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species estimates only between 23,000 and 39,000 of the lions remain in the wild.

The falling population has been attributed to indiscriminate killing, habitat loss and trophy hunting.

Keepers were able to watch Husani give birth using a camera in her den with the new arrivals to remain in an off-limits area at Monarto for the next few months.

At about four weeks old, they will be introduced to their aunties and their half-sisters, Chikondi, Adira and Zaha, who were Husani's first litter born in February 2020.

"The older girls have seen cubs before but it will be the first time for Husani's previous cubs, so it will all be new to them," Ms Bennett said.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of excitement and wanting to play."

At six weeks the cubs will receive their first health check, when keepers will be able to determine their sex.

Once ready to venture beyond their den, the little ones will make their debut in the park's lion exhibit.

The cubs represent the next generation in Monarto's breeding program, with Husani born at the park in 2013.

Australian Associated Press