The quasi-moon 2004 GU9, a temporary companion of Earth, is set to receive an official name through a contest organized by Radiolab and the International Astronomical Union. The contest, which received nearly 3,000 submissions from over 90 countries, has narrowed down to seven finalists: Bakunawa, Cardea, Ehaema, Enkidu, Ótr, Tarriaksuk, and Tecciztecatl, each with mythological origins. The public can vote for their favorite name until January 1, 2025, with a panel of experts, including Bill Nye, having selected the finalists.
Gatorland, a theme park in Florida, has announced the birth of an extremely rare white alligator with a condition called Leucism, which causes its white coloring. Unlike albinism, Leucism does not affect the eyes. The park is seeking the public's help in naming the baby alligator, with options including Ice, Noelle, Snow, Pearl, Ivory, and Marshmallow. Leucistic alligators are the rarest genetic variation of American alligators, and they have translucent skin and blue eyes. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the leucistic alligator and her normal-colored brother at Gatorland early next year.
Middle school students in Colorado will have the opportunity to vote on the names for the first gray wolves to be reintroduced into the state. The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center has organized a naming contest, allowing students in grades five through eight to choose their favorite name from a list of 14. The winning name will be assigned to the first wolf released, with subsequent wolves named in order of the next highest vote tally. The reintroduction of gray wolves is part of a voter-approved bill and is set to take place by late 2023.
SeaWorld San Diego is inviting the public to help name its first emperor penguin chick in over a decade. The female chick, born on September 12, is a significant event for both the species and the park. The three name choices are "Pearl," "Pandora," and "Astrid," each holding special significance. The public can vote until October 31, and the name will be announced on November 1. Emperor penguins are considered threatened due to the loss of Antarctic ice.
The Brights Zoo in Tennessee has named a rare baby giraffe without spots "Kipekee" after a public naming contest. The 5-week-old giraffe is believed to be the only known solid-colored reticulated giraffe in the world. With over 16,000 votes, Kipekee beat out three other names to become the winner. The baby giraffe, born on July 31, is already 6 feet tall and is described as laid back and curious.
A Tennessee zoo is seeking help from the public to name a rare spotless giraffe that was born last month. This unique giraffe is the only known one in the world, and its birth has brought attention to the conservation efforts for the endangered reticulated giraffe species. The zoo will hold a naming contest on Facebook, offering four name options for people to vote on. The reticulated giraffe is characterized by large brown spots separated by cream-colored lines, and the spots serve both as camouflage and a means to release heat through blood vessels underneath.
Brights Zoo in Tennessee has announced the birth of a rare spotless giraffe, believed to be the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe in the world. The zoo has opened a naming contest for the baby giraffe, hoping to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the species in the wild. Reticulated giraffes are listed as endangered, with 40% of the wild population lost in the last three decades. In 1972, the last recorded spotless giraffe was born in Tokyo.
Bright's Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, has welcomed the birth of a rare solid brown giraffe, believed to be the only one of its kind in the world. The baby giraffe, standing at six feet tall, is thriving under its mother's care. The zoo is seeking help from the public to choose a name for the giraffe through a naming contest on their Facebook page. The attention garnered by the unique giraffe has shed light on the importance of giraffe conservation, as wild populations have declined by 40% in the last three decades.
The world's only spotless giraffe was recently born at Brights Zoo, making it the rarest of its kind. Officials are inviting the public to participate in a naming contest for the newborn.
