Smithsonian Opens Vote to Name Red Panda Cub

The Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is asking the public to name a female red panda cub born June 11 to Keahi and Rocket at its Front Royal, Virginia, conservation campus. A Saturday social media post from the Smithsonian listed three choices selected by the animal care team: Dolly, honoring Dolly Parton; Pyra, meaning heat in Greek; and Dolpa, a region of Nepal home to wild red pandas and a focus of the AZA's SAFE Red Panda Program. The zoo describes the cub as bold and feisty. Voting closes October 17. The cub was one of three born at the campus this summer; two others, a male and a female, were born May 29. Keepers provided air-conditioned indoor spaces and elevated nest boxes for the inexperienced mothers. The families remain at the Front Royal campus, which is closed to the public. The story broke via WJLA on October 11. Left-rated outlets foreground the zoo asking for help with the name. Right-rated outlets foreground the opening of a public vote. The selected name will follow when voting ends October 17.