“D1” and “D2”—two of the over 1,000 dolphins that have been identified in the Potomac River—could soon be named “Aldo Leopold” and “Wendell Berry” … or “Cherry” and “Blossom” … or “Madeleine Paddlin’ Albright” and “Colin Divin’ Powell”?
Dolphins have long been spotted in the region, with reports dating back to the 19th century. But despite their long history in the area, scientists know very little about them.
The Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project wants to close this knowledge gap. The team is trying to determine just how many dolphins are actually in the Potomac, when and why the marine mammals resurface, and a whole host of other questions about their feeding habits and group behavior.
Part of their efforts involve bringing the public into the research process by encouraging people to report dolphin sightings. Now, they want the public to help name two of them with a public naming contest put on jointly with the regional conservation group, Potomac River Conservancy. (The other dolphins have been named after U.S. presidents, vice presidents, first ladies, and members of Congress).
The contest, which kicked off last month, has received over 3,200 (!) suggestions. The organizers have winnowed it down to ten pairs, and they’re asking the public to vote once more to select the dolphin duo’s new names.
Everyone and everything—from African American abolitionists and indigenous territory names to tidal processes and influential American environmental activists—is on the table.
You can vote here for your favorite names from now until June 14. Here’s the list of options:
Rachel Carson and Sylvia Earle
“Mac” and “Chessie” (for Potomac and Chesapeake)
Powhatan and Piscataway
Ebb and Flow
Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass
Echo and Radar
Aldo Leopold and Wendell Berry
Cherry and Blossom
Madeleine Paddlin’ Albright and Colin Divin’ Powell
Benjamin Banneker and Pierre L’Enfant
Previously:
Scientists Want Help Naming Two Of The Dolphins Who Live In The Potomac River
There Are Dolphins In The Potomac And We Know Almost Nothing About Them … Yet
