The Warsaw Zoo recently celebrated a rare and joyous event: the birth of a female southern pudu, the world’s second smallest deer species. The newborn has captured the hearts of visitors and zookeepers alike, and now, the public is invited to participate in selecting a name for the newest zoo inhabitant.
Born on July 16, the pudu has already begun making brief appearances in its enclosure, but spotting the shy animal may be a challenge. Pudu are known for their elusive nature, often hiding among the underbrush. Even in the best conditions, the tiny animal can be hard to spot, as it only grows to about 40 centimeters in height. This remarkable creature is the offspring of a pair of pudu named Eva and Pitchu.
The Warsaw Zoo, eager to engage the public in welcoming the new arrival, has launched a poll to name the female pudu. The zoo humorously hinted at the announcement on its social media platforms, encouraging fans and visitors to submit their name suggestions. “The little girl doesn’t have a name yet, so you know what that means… it’s time to start the poll to choose her name,” the zoo declared.
Naming Contest and Selection Process
The zoo is accepting name suggestions until September 29, allowing people to propose their ideas in the comments section of its social media posts. After the submission period, zoo staff will narrow down the entries to the four most creative or fitting names. During the following week, the public will have the chance to vote on their favorite name among the final selections.
In keeping with a zoo tradition established earlier this year, the names of all newly born animals in 2024 must start with the letter “P.” Zoo staff encourages participants to keep this rule in mind when submitting their suggestions. With thousands of names expected, the zoo is preparing for a spirited round of voting.
