Visitors to the Zagreb Zoo participated recently in the celebration of the International Day of Red Pandas, which includes the selection of the name for a cub of this endangered animal species. The currently most popular inhabitant of the zoo was named by singer Mia Dimšić. Citizens have proposed about 300 names through social networks, and Dimšić chose her favourite and named the red panda cub Grga, reports Jutarnji List on November 15, 2018.
The Zoo’s jury first reduced the 300 proposals to twelve candidates, and Mia chose the name she liked the most. Grga defeated Baltazar, Bongi, Boo, Elmo, Ernest, Felix, Fulir, Maks, Ma, Zooki and Vatroslav. “Grga immediately became the most attractive proposal, and the additional reason is that the name is related to this region. Another finalist was Vatroslav,” Mia Dimšić explained.
Her choice was met with approval from the visitors to the zoo, where they celebrated the International Day of Red Pandas.
“The love between red pandas Popi and Ema began three years ago. Since Mia’s songs can often be heard in the zoo, maybe they also contributed to the romance which occurred. We are happy that our red pandas now have a cub. In five months, Grga has developed into a talented and energetic boy who enjoys life. He likes to have fun but also to eat a lot,” said Damir Skok, the director of the Zagreb Zoo. He added that Grga was a perfect name since the cub’s father and grandfather were also born in Zagreb.
The zoo presented the singer with a red panda toy and congratulated her the 26th birthday which she celebrated three days earlier.
On the occasion of the International Day of Red Pandas, the visitors enjoyed a comprehensive educational programme on the protected species.
For more on the Zagreb Zoo, click here.
Translated from Jutarnji List.
