Help Name a Pygmy Hippo Baby

Lowry Park Zoo has a problem on its hands and it needs some help solving it.

Coming up with a fitting name for a bouncing baby pygmy hippopotamus is easier said than done.

While the zoo’s team has selected three possibilities, it’s turning to the public to pick a fan favorite.

“Pumpkin,” as she’s called for now, came into the world Oct. 11, just in time for the Halloween season. That name, however, just doesn’t fit the 14.5-pound baby’s distinct heritage. As one of 30 pygmy hippos in North America and one of roughly 3,000 worldwide, she needs a name that’s as unique as she is, zoo officials say.

That’s why they’ve chosen three Swahili names and they’re asking folks to vote on their favorites in order to make a final selection.

The names pitched are:

• Zahra (pronounced Za-rah). It means flower.
• Zawadi (pronounced Za-way-dee). It means gift.
• Zuri (pronounced Zoo-ree). It means beautiful.

Only those three names will be considered in the contest, which runs through 5 p.m. EST Oct. 30. Pumpkin’s permanent name will be announced during a Hippo Baby Shower on Nov. 1 at the zoo.

To vote for a name, just visit the zoo’s online contest page.

To find out more about visiting the 1101 W. Sligh Ave. zoo, visit its website.

What name do you like best? Tell us by commenting below!

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Photo Credit: Baby Pumpkin weighed in at 14.5 pounds. Photo taken by Lowry Park Zoo docent David Parkinson

See Also:

• Rare Pygmy Hippo Born at Lowry Park Zoo