BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo is asking for the public’s input in naming its two, 5-month-old female Malayan tiger cubs. Voting will take place on the Zoo’s website through January 9 at 5 p.m.
The Malayan names now under consideration for the sisters are:
Darma (meaning “duty”)
Hadiah (meaning “gift”)
Berani (meaning “brave”)
Kayu Merah (meaning “red stick”)
To vote, visit brzoo.org/namingcontest or mail your selection to Friends of the Baton Rouge Zoo, 3601 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70807. Votes made after 5 p.m. on January 9 will not be counted. After the votes are tabulated, the cubs will receive the two highest scoring names.
The individuals who submitted the two winning names will receive a complimentary gold level adoption of the tiger cubs through the Zoo’s Adopt an Animal program and a zoo household membership.
“We had hundreds of official [name] entries submitted to the Zoo’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages,” says Phil Frost, Zoo Director. “It’s fantastic to see this level of excitement about our cubs from the community, and we hope our cubs will each get great names to start off the new year.”
The cubs were born to the zoo’s female Malayan tiger, which came from the Fort Worth Zoo in 2009, and the zoo’s male Malayan tiger, which arrived from the Little Rock Zoo in 2012. The two cubs are the fifth and sixth Malayan tiger cubs born in the U.S. this year.
The Malayan subspecies was first recognized in 2004. With an estimated 500 or fewer existing in the wild, they are currently identified as endangered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Creature Feature
If you’re searching for a little less fearsome feline friend, Cat Haven has many adorable adoptable cats and kittens including:
Tristan is a 7-year-old Siamese mix. He is front-paw declawed and would prefer to be an only cat.
Berry is a large, one-year-old declawed girl. This dilute torti was adopted as a kitten and recently returned because my owner could no longer keep me. She is best suited for a quiet home.
Yucat is a total lap cat who came to Cat Haven after his owner passed away. This 4-year-old Maine Coon mix loves people. He has spent time with children, dogs and other cats; but, he hasn’t actually lived them. However. Yucat is pretty easy going, so he should fit in to any family.
Bubbles was found abandoned in an apartment complex. This 10-month-old tuxedo is a quiet kitty. She gets along well with other cats and people of all ages.
Jane wandered up to a cabinet shop and had a litter of kittens. This blanche beauty is a sweet one-year-old, who gets along well with other cats and loves people.
Puffy is a sweet, shy boy who was dumped at a fast food restaurant. This one-year-old longhaired orange tabby gets along with other cats. Because he a little afraid of loud noises, he is best suited to a quiet home.
These pets have all been vaccinated, spayed/neutered and FeLeuk/FIV tested. Many other adoptable cats and kittens are available at Cat Haven. Call the shelter at 636-2680 to make an appointment.
