WCS's Bronx Zoo and the New York Daily News Announced Lion Cub Name Winners

By Scott Smith

Bronx, NY - Today, The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and the New York Daily News announced the results of the public vote on the names for the Zoo’s three African lion cubs – Nala (female), which means “gift” in Swahili; Adamma (female), which means “beautiful child” in Igbo; and Shani (male), meaning “wonderful” in Swahili.

After a nomination process that resulted in more than 30,000 names being submitted to WCS’s Bronx Zoo and the New York Daily News, thousands voted for their favorite of the final five sets of three names. The vote tally produced a clear winner as the names were chosen by an overwhelming margin.

The winner with 40 percent of the public vote

Nala (“gift” in Swahili)

Adamma (“beautiful child” in Igbo)

Shani (“wonderful” in Swahili)

Received 24 percent of the public vote

Sahara (“desert” in Arabic)

Savannah (“treeless plain” in Spanish)

Upepo (“the wind” in Swahili)

Received 14 percent of the public vote

Nkiru (“a good future” in Igbo)

Penda (“Affectionate” in Swahili)

Kamili (“perfection” in Swahili)

Received 13 percent of the public vote

Imani (“faith” or “belief” in Arabic)

Bahari (“the sea” in Swahili)

Dakarai (“child brings joy and happiness” African in origin)

Received nine percent of the public vote

Asali (“honey” in Swahili)

Mbali (“far” in Swahili)

Bakari (“promise” in Swahili)

The staff at the zoo is thrilled to see how the city has embraced the cubs through the city-wide vote, and they enjoy watching visitors as their faces light up watching the playful antics of the cubs.

Everyone who participated in the final vote on www.bronxzoo.com was automatically entered into a special drawing courtesy of the Belmont Business Improvement District (BBID) which fosters economic development and cultural tourism for the property owners, merchants, and residents of the famous Belmont area in the Bronx. The BBID is giving away three $100 “Great Taste of Tradition” gift cards to participants in the city-wide effort to name the cubs.

The WCS Bronx Zoo will randomly draw three names of participants who voted at the website. Those three individuals will receive the gift cards. They can be redeemed at participating businesses in the BBID by calling 917-923-4765. Participation is free.

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Adult admission is $15, children (3-12 years old) $11, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $13. Parking is $12 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit www.bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

To view Bronx Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-91-Bronx_Zoo