Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo asks public to choose name for ocelot "Miracle Kitten"

3/5/2009

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.—March 5, 2009—It's been five months since he was born and Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo now needs your help to decide what to name the ocelot "Miracle Kitten" born through a groundbreaking artificial insemination (AI) procedure on Halloween of 2008. Introduced to the public just two weeks ago on Valentine's Day, the public is invited to weigh in on what his name should be. Visitors will get to choose between three names selected by Zoo staff and will vote using an official ballot after paying a visit to the kitten to determine which name fits him best. The choices include: Mopua', Milagre and Bruxo. Ballots will be available at the front gate now through April 18, 2009, Day One of the Zoo's Earth Day celebration, "Party for the Planet." The kitten's new name will be announced on Day Two of "Party for the Planet," April 19, 2009.

"Everyone should come down to meet this frisky kitten and help us decide on a name," said Gregg Dancho, Zoo Director. "Zoo staff has chosen Portuguese names to reflect his Brazilian ancestry but that's where we would love to have everyone's input. He's growing up fast and really needs a name!"

Since this is only the third time in history that AI has successfully produced an endangered ocelot kitten in captivity, the staff chose Mopua' (*Pron. Mo pu a'), which means "three" in Portuguese. Milagre means "miracle" and Dia das Bruxas, means "Halloween." Bruxa translates to "witch," with the male version of Bruxa being Bruxo.

This is the first time ever that the AI procedure has been used specifically to manage this endangered species. This also is the first ocelot kitten to be born at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult Admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society are also admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

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About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo:

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers, Andean condor, ocelots, red & maned wolves, Andean (spectacled) bears, and golden lion tamarins. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more. Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org