 |
Sep 10, 2010 | 5:31AM | 63°F | |
|
|
|
|
|
 
Jan 05, 2010BABY JAGS HAVE NAMES! 
January 5, 2010Contact: Audra Levy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE(812) 436-4962 Charlotte Roesner(812) 435-6143 ext. 409 Beautiful Names for the Beautiful Cubs (EVANSVILLE, IN)- The results are in! The two female jaguar cubs, born on September 22, 2009, to the Zoo’s male and female jaguars Cuxtal (Kush-tall) and Beliza (Ba-lee-zah), now have names. In November, a naming contest was launched on meskerjagcam.com. During the submission period, twenty-eight names were entered and on December 3rd, the public was invited to vote on them. Over 3,500 votes were cast to determine the two winning names, Zimba and Maya. Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel made the announcement this afternoon by revealing enrichment treat for each cub on which their names were written. The treats will be given to Zimba and Maya later in the day. The name Zimba, which received over 1,300 votes, was entered by Dot Skelton of Evansville. According to Skelton, Zimba has sentimental meaning to her family, “My son, who died in September, had a cat and I liked the cat’s name. So, when I found out that the public could name the jaguars, I decided to give it a try by using my son’s cat’s name.” Skelton and her daughter encouraged everyone they encountered to vote, “filled with joy” knowing the money raised during voting would benefit the Zoo. Dr. Michelle Galen Cabrera, also of Evansville, was one of three people to submit the name Maya in the contest. Cabrera’s Maya was selected as the other winning name, gathering over 800 votes. Dr. Cabrera, who was very honored to have the name Maya chosen stated, “I’m very excited to be part of the naming process. When selecting a name, I wanted it to reflect the heritage of Central and South America. This had a lot to do with my selection of the name Maya.” “The cubs have helped generate new interest in Mesker Park Zoo. We’re seeing people visiting the zoo who haven’t been there for years because of new attractions like the cubs, AMAZONIA, and our new Indian rhino. Our challenge now is how to keep building on that momentum,” said Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel. According to Amos Morris, Zoo Director, “Both cubs are doing exceptionally well responding to each other and mom.” Dennis Vogt, the jaguar’s primary zoo keeper, points out that the best way for Zoo-goers to distinguish Maya from Zimba is that Maya has spots between her eyes forming a paw print shape, whereas Zimba has seven or eight spots between her eyes forming the shape of a circle. Morris also noted that over $3,000 has been raised from the cub naming contest and meskerjagcam.com that will benefit the Evansville Zoological Society. Morris thanked all who voted for helping to select names for these rare and beautiful creatures. ### Some additional information from the press conference: The cubs now weigh about 16 lbs each The next step will to introduce them their outdoor habitat, but timing will depend on the weather. They will also soon start to eat meat as part of their diet |
| Maps |  |
Media | |
About Us | |
Contact Us | |
Links | |
Privacy Statement | |
Terms of Use | |
Site Map |
Site Design by Gray Loon Marketing Group, Inc.