The Woodland Park Zoo debuted the new meerkat exhibit a month ago, now the eight fuzzy creatures need names.
Photo courtesy Ryan Hawk.
The zoo has selected 16 names that reflect the meerkats’ native southern African habitat and now it is your turn to cast your vote for up to eight of your favorites from June 1 – June 15. The eight highest vote getters from the following choices will become the new names for our four male and four female meerkat mob members:
Kalahari (African desert)
KGALA (“great thirst” in Tswana)
ACACIA (African tree)
KIWANO (Kalahari fruit)
NOSSOB (southern African river)
BAOBOB (African plains tree)
ARANOS (Namibian town)
MOLOPO (southern African river)
GOCHAS (Namibian settlement)
GHANZI (town in Botswana)
ZIMBA (Zambian town)
ERONGO (Namibian mountain)
DINAWA (“beans” in Tswana)
NATA (southern African river)
KURUMAN (southern African river)
NGAMI (lake in Botswana)
To vote for names download the ballot here (.pdf) and drop it at any U.S. Bank location between now and June 15th or mail your ballot to 601 N. 59th Street, Seattle, WA 98103, Attn: Name the Meerkats. The ballot must be postmarked by June 15.
Several winners will be selected from a random drawing. The grand prize winner will get a trip for four to San Diego including airfare, lodging and tickets to local attractions. A complete list of rules can be found through this link. The eight most voted meerkat names and the prize winners will be announced on July 1 at the “Red, White & Zoo” Independence Day-themed event.