Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks today was joined by officials from the Seneca Park Zoo to announce a summer-long naming contest for the zoo’s three African lions.
The trio, who came to the zoo, 2222 St. Paul St., Rochester, in Seneca Park, from an animal park outside Pretoria, South Africa last December, has been on display to the public since May 17.
There are two female lions and one male lion. The male and one female were both born in September 2010, while the remaining female was born in January 2011. All three are unrelated.
“With the opening of the ‘A Step Into Africa’ exhibit this past May, our three African lions have been the stars of the show here at the zoo for the past few months,” Brooks said today.
To give the community a chance to properly welcome the lions to Monroe County, the zoo's naming contest will run from today, July 6, through Aug. 31. The winning names will be announced in early September.
“Our naming contests are a creative way for visitors to connect with these majestic animals,” said Rachel Baker August, executive director for the Seneca Park Zoo Society. “They also provide a platform for families to do some research on the animals, observe their natural behaviors and better understand their place in the animal kingdom.”
Each lion has its own distinct personality that will help visitors out when thinking of the perfect name.
The male is easily recognized by his mane. He is the most cautious and will usually follow the lead of the larger female. He often carries his favorite toys around in his mouth all day.
The two females differ slightly in size. The larger female is lighter in color and is the most outgoing of the trio. She’ll be the first to investigate new surroundings and situations. The smaller female has a reddish tint and is the most shy in the group, but is mischievous, frequently pouncing on the other two to initiate a play session.
African lions are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It is believed that during the past two decades, the lion population has declined by nearly 30 percent.
Names may be submitted via e-mail to lions@senecazoo.org until 5 p.m. Aug. 31.
More details on the naming contest may be found at www.senecaparkzoo.org as well as the zoo’s Facebook page.
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks today was joined by officials from the Seneca Park Zoo to announce a summer-long naming contest for the zoo’s three African lions.
The trio, who came to the zoo, 2222 St. Paul St., Rochester, in Seneca Park, from an animal park outside Pretoria, South Africa last December, has been on display to the public since May 17.
There are two female lions and one male lion. The male and one female were both born in September 2010, while the remaining female was born in January 2011. All three are unrelated.
“With the opening of the ‘A Step Into Africa’ exhibit this past May, our three African lions have been the stars of the show here at the zoo for the past few months,” Brooks said today.
To give the community a chance to properly welcome the lions to Monroe County, the zoo's naming contest will run from today, July 6, through Aug. 31. The winning names will be announced in early September.
“Our naming contests are a creative way for visitors to connect with these majestic animals,” said Rachel Baker August, executive director for the Seneca Park Zoo Society. “They also provide a platform for families to do some research on the animals, observe their natural behaviors and better understand their place in the animal kingdom.”
Each lion has its own distinct personality that will help visitors out when thinking of the perfect name.
The male is easily recognized by his mane. He is the most cautious and will usually follow the lead of the larger female. He often carries his favorite toys around in his mouth all day.
The two females differ slightly in size. The larger female is lighter in color and is the most outgoing of the trio. She’ll be the first to investigate new surroundings and situations. The smaller female has a reddish tint and is the most shy in the group, but is mischievous, frequently pouncing on the other two to initiate a play session.
African lions are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It is believed that during the past two decades, the lion population has declined by nearly 30 percent.
Names may be submitted via e-mail to lions@senecazoo.org until 5 p.m. Aug. 31.
More details on the naming contest may be found at www.senecaparkzoo.org as well as the zoo’s Facebook page.
