Hamilton Zoo’s Panda Trio Named!

Hamilton Zoo’s Panda Trio Named!

The country’s cutest red panda trio at Hamilton Zoo have now been named!

The pandas are now known by the Nepalese names of Nima (sun), Karma (star) and Dawa (moon).

The names were chosen by Hamilton Zoo staff and given that there were more than 900 names entered, choosing the winning three was no easy task.

“There were so many fantastic names that came in which meant a lot of serious discussion among the keepers!” said Zoo Curator, Sam Kudeweh.

“We chose these names because they fit perfectly with each of the three boys and followed the criteria of being relevant to the red panda’s native countries.”

The names proved to be popular with three different entrants submitting all three names - including the Tibetan lama from Sikkim Umze Whamchoe Nima who visited Hamilton Zoo during the competition.

Locals Wilhelmina Stevens from Flagstaff and Angela Allen from Fairfield each took away the prize pack which included an annual family pass to Hamilton Zoo, as well as a cuddly red panda toy and certificate.

The cubs are coming up to five months now and are doing really well.

“They are such characters and are having a great time playing and exploring. They are all gaining a healthy weight and as well as drinking milk from the keepers, they also enjoy scoffing lots of fruit and bamboo” said Sam.

The birth of Nima, Dawa and Karma has doubled the number of red pandas at the zoo, taking the total to six including mother Tayla, father Chito and big brother Ketu who was born at the zoo in 2011.

The naming competition ran throughout April with people submitting their ideas through Facebook, email and at the Zoo reception.

ENDS

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