Phoenix Zoo Needs Help Naming Its Baby Zebra!
December 12, 2012
Two months ago a male Grevy's zebra was born at Phoenix Zoo. Now they are asking the public to weigh in on his name! Voting ends this Friday, December 14, at 8 p.m. PT. The choices are as follows, but be sure to visit this link to cast your vote:
Utambo – Meaning “prancing” in Swahili, as the baby zebra likes to run and prance when he and his mom, Afiya, head out onto exhibit in the mornings.
Nissa – Nissa is the name of one of the many fantastic Masai safari guides at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Africa, whom a Phoenix Zoo hoofstock keeper got to meet and work with while visiting Lewa earlier this year. Kenya is also where the majority of wild Grevy's zebra are currently found.
Pembe – Meaning “horn” (as in an animal horn) in Swahili. Obviously, zebras do not have horns, but the Grevy’s zebras’ history range encompasses the majority of a territory known as the Horn of Africa.
Ally – Pronounced “ollie”. Ally is the name of an exchange student from Kenya who is currently staying with the family of a Phoenix Zoo hoofstock keeper.
Photo credit: Phoenix Zoo