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  • It’s A Boy!- This boy needs a name. The Memphis Zoo is asking for help from the public in choosing his name now that they have learned the sex of the zoo baby. It’s a boy! After a close examination it was determined that he looks "perfect and healthy" said zoo vet Felicia Knightly. The Red Panda is from Asia. Red pandas live in the cool temperate bamboo forests in China. They share part of their range with giant pandas. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)
  • It’s A Boy!- This boy needs a name. The Memphis Zoo is asking for help from the public in choosing his name now that they have learned the sex of the zoo baby. It’s a boy! After a close examination it was determined that he looks "perfect and healthy" said zoo vet Felicia Knightly. The Red Panda is from Asia. Red pandas live in the cool temperate bamboo forests in China. They share part of their range with giant pandas. (Photo by Karen Pulfer Focht)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis Zoo welcomed a new bouncing, bundle of joy to its family. To celebrate the birth, the Memphis Zoo is hosting a naming contest for the baby boy that kicks off August 28 and goes until September 19 which is International Red Panda Day.
“Red pandas are a lessor-known and endangered species, so we wanted to hold this naming contest to help bring awareness about these cute little guys,” said Laura Doty, marketing and communications manager for the Memphis Zoo. “It’s also a fun way to name animals, and we hope to get children and adults of all ages involved. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone to forever be a part of the Memphis Zoo’s history.” In order to participate all you have to do is go to the Memphis Zoo’s Facebook page and post a name suggestion along with your favorite fact about red pandas. Submissions will be accepted until Tuesday, September 8 at 5 p.m. After that, the zookeepers will pick their top five favorite names. On September 10, the top names will be posted on the Zoo’s Facebook page along with a picture of the new cub to help you decide. To vote, simply like the picture with your name choice. Votes will be accepted until Friday, September 18 at 5 p.m. The Memphis Zoo will announce the winning name the very next day on September 19 at their Red Panda Naming Party. The red panda cub was born on June 3 to parents Justin and Lucille, and is said to be doing just fine. Zookeepers told WREG they are giving the new family time and space to bond and have family time. “Lucille is turning out to be quite an excellent the mother,” said Matt Thompson, director of animal programs for the Memphis Zoo. “Especially for a first-time mother, Lucille’s instincts have been impeccable.” For complete details about the red panda cub-naming contest, please visit www.memphiszoo.org/.