On Apr. 29, the Akron Zoo welcomed a new snow leopard cub. Now, they're asking for your help picking a name.
As promised, zoo officials have announced a contest to name the female cub, with animal lovers able to vote from among seven choices online. The nominees are:
- Bayara - Named in honor of Bayara Agvaantseren, the Snow Leopard Trust Mongolia Director and 2019 Goldman Prize winner; founded the first community-based snow leopard conservation program, as well as Snow Leopard Enterprises
- Baya - Nepali for Tamchy Bay on Lake Issuk Kul, in the region where the only rehabilitation center for snow leopards exists in Kyrgyzstan
- Tuya - Mongolian for "ray of light"
- Ravi - Name of a river through the Himalayas
- Gora - Russian for "mountain"
- Bayarma - Mongolian for "mother of joy"
- Zigsa - Tibetan term for snow leopard
Officials say the cub is currently in a private area with her mother, and will make her public debut in the snow leopard habitat at a later date. She was apparently born with a congenital eye defect that may one day require surgery, but the condition is common in snow leopards and should not be a major issue.
To vote for the cub's name, go to akronzoo.com/naming-contest.
