The National Zoo wants your help naming a female red panda cub born June 11 in Front Royal. Vote for Dolly, Pyra or Dolpa.Skip to main content
3VIEW ALL PHOTOS
Dolly, Pyra or Dolpa? The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is asking the public to help name a female red panda cub born June 11 at its conservation campus in Front Royal. (Photo: Brooke McDonough, Smithsonian)
topics:
Smithsonian
National Zoo
Red panda
Name contest
Front Royal
Dolly Parton
Nepal
SAFE
FRONT ROYAL, Va. (7News) — Dolly, Pyra or Dolpa? The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is asking the public to help name a female red panda cub born June 11 at its conservation campus in Front Royal.
ALSO SEE | LOOK: Baby red panda celebrates International Red Panda Day
The zoo said the cub, born to mother Keahi and father Rocket, has shown bold, feisty behavior. Its animal care team selected the three possible names for a public vote.
Dolly honors country music legend Dolly Parton. According to the zoo, Pyra means heat in Greek. Dolpa is a region of Nepal where wild red pandas live and where the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE Red Panda program works to conserve the species.
The female is one of three red panda cubs born at the Front Royal campus this summer. Sequoia and Mow Mow welcomed two cubs, a male and a female, on May 29.
In its August birth announcement, the zoo said keepers were monitoring the families through nest-box cameras to reduce stress on the mothers. Male red pandas do not help care for their offspring.
READ ALSO | Smithsonian National Zoo name new red panda cub born at its Virginia facility
The red panda families remain at the Front Royal conservation campus, which is closed to the public.
Click here to cast your vote.
“Local”
4
NEWMSU warns students after drink-spiking reports circulate on campus
5
Victim in Kalispell shooting identified
4
Montana Tech, MSU team up to create 3D-printed replica of historic sculpture
7
Crews contain structure, grass fire near Ennis