Asheboro, NC – The North Carolina Zoo is enlisting the public’s help to name the new female baby rhino born at the Zoo Monday, July 2.
The new calf was born to mom Linda and dad Stormy. She weighed approximately 80-90 pounds at birth and, at just over two weeks old, is weighing in at 150 pounds. Mom and calf are doing well, and both are on view to the public on our Watani Grasslands 40-acre habitat.
Vote for your favorite of six names chosen by the Zoo’s rhino zookeepers. Each of the six names reflects the theme of strong, female leaders in history, both factual and mythical. They are: Boadicea, a Celtic warrior queen; Diana, goddess of wild animals in Roman mythology; Grace O’Malley, Irish queen and naval captain; Mamba, an all-female group of anti-poaching advocates in Africa; Nandi, Queen of the Zulus and mother of Shaka Zulu; Penelope, Queen of Ithaca and wife of Odysseus in Greek mythology, who also symbolizes family and fidelity; and Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands who fought against Nazi occupation during World War II.
Voting opens at 12 pm Wed, July 18 and closes at 5 pm Tue, July 24 (all EDT). The online poll can be accessed through the Zoo’s website at nczoo.org or through the Zoo’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. There is no charge to select a name.
The winning name will be announced Friday, July 27.
In a lucky twist of fate, a second female baby rhino was born on Friday, July 13 to mom Kit and dad Stormy. At five days old, she is doing well and is also on the Watani Grasslands habitat with the full rhino herd. The Zoo will make an announcement at a later time about the details of her naming process.
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About the North Carolina Zoo
At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,600 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.
About the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call 919- 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.