Time to Name Two Little Tigers

2 APRIL 2015

For Immediate Release

Hamilton Zoo has launched a public naming competition for two of its cutest inhabitants – the little Sumatran tiger cubs.

The cubs, a male and female, were born to mother Sali in November last year. They’re part of a global breeding programme for a species identified as critically endangered, and are the progeny of 11-year-old Oz (who came to the zoo from Auckland Zoo last year specifically to breed) and 7-year-old mother Sali.

Samantha Kudeweh, Hamilton Zoo Curator, says the time has come for the furry cuties to be given names.

“These little cats are very precious and very loveable, and we’ve been referring to them by the nicknames ‘Roly’ and ‘Smudge’. They’ve really thrilled our visitors – and now we want people to have a sense of connection toward them,” she says.

To settle on names for the cubs, Hamilton Zoo has launched a competition which enables members of the public to nominate a name. The competition is accessed through www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz, and the initial phase of the competition runs through until 19 April.

“We’re looking for names which relate to the tigers’ natural habitat in Sumatra,” Mrs Kudeweh says. “We think their ancestral homeland should be an important part of how the public sees and appreciates them.”

All entries will be assessed by a team of zoo staff, who will then compile a shortlist. The shortlist will be announced on 24 April, with a further round of voting – again via the Hamilton Zoo website – culminating in the public confirmation of the cubs’ names on 4 May.

Winners of the competition will receive a special Face 2 Face encounter with the cubs.

ENDS

© Scoop Media