– Uheri (Swahili for “good fortune”)
– Fahari (Swahili for “pride”)
– Askari (Swahili for “guard/watchman”)
The first cub is known for being adventurous.
And for the second:
– Imara (Swahili for “strong/strength”)
– Sanaa (Swahili for “work of art, beauty”)
– Karas (a region of Namibia)
The second cub (pictured here in this zoo photo) isn’t as cute and cuddly as before. She now “protects her siblings when they’re being caught up for vet exams.”
We’re curious as to why since nearly all our choices are in Swahili (a language rooted in East Africa), we get just one geographic-based name, one of Southwestern Africa. Additionally “Sanaa,” is very similar to Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. Does that mean that the Yemeni Embassy could push a promotions deal with the zoo to have the second cub named after their capital in exchange for free Yemeni tourism promotions? It’d be a win-win situation for the National Zoo and Yemen! …
Not satisfied with the zoo’s choices in names? Put your two cents in comments.
