New Delhi: The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is seeking help from the public to name a female red panda cub known for her bold and feisty nature.
Born in June to parents Keahi and Rocket at the zoo’s facility in Front Royal, Virginia, the cub is one of three born this year. The other two, twins, arrived on 29 May.
This little red panda may be small, but she certainly knows how to make herself heard. Keepers have described her as the “most vocal” of the three cubs. The zoo has shortlisted three options, with voting open until October 17, according to The Washington Post.
The zoo has put up three names on its website, along with the stories behind them, giving people a chance to vote for their favourite.
The first option is ‘Dolly’, inspired by country music legend Dolly Parton. The second is ‘Pyra’, which means ‘heat’ in Greek, and the third is ‘Dolpa’, named after a region in Nepal that is home to wild red pandas.
The three cubs, now around four months old, are doing well and have started leaving their nest boxes to explore their surroundings, according to the zoo.
Although they have yet to begin eating solid food, the cubs have shown interest in bamboo, which will eventually become part of their diet. The twins spend much of their time wrestling or cuddling, while the female cub is often seen close to her mother, Keahi. The twins are expected to be named later this month.
The website also offers information about red pandas, the only living members of their taxonomic family. Visitors can learn about the endangered animals’ bamboo-based diets, climbing abilities and the threats they face in the wild.
As the Smithsonian’s National Zoo invites people to help name its adorable red panda cub, people on social media couldn’t resist throwing in suggestions, with some coming up with a few names of their own.
“She is Cutie…that’s her name,” one person commented.
“Big Red,” suggested another.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)