BRIDGEPORT, CT — Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is asking the public to help name its first red panda cub, with voting opening Friday.
The male cub was born June 24 to first-time parents Ponya and Pilot, becoming the first red panda born at the Bridgeport-based zoo.
The zoo's animal care staff selected three potential names inspired by the native range and culture of red pandas: Ravi, a Nepali name meaning sun; Tashi, a Tibetan name meaning fortunate or lucky; and Pabu, a Tibetan word meaning fluffball.
The cub has been cared for by the zoo's animal care and veterinary teams and continues to grow and gain weight behind the scenes, according to the zoo.
His birth is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Red Panda Species Survival Plan, which works to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of the endangered species.
Public voting opened at 11 a.m. Friday and continues through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29. Votes can be cast at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/l0wvHFO.
The winning name will be announced at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, on Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo's Facebook and Instagram accounts.
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