NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Buttonwood Zoo in Southern Massachusetts is asking for the public's opinion as they try to figure out the perfect name for their new red panda.
The baby panda, who is about two months old, was the first of his endangered species to be born at Buttonwood Zoo in its 126 year history.
According to BP Zoo, Red Pandas are native to the high-altitude temperate forests of Nepal, northeastern India, Bhutan and part of China.
Read More: Endangered Red Panda Cub Born In Massachusetts
The cub has been living in a "nest box" inside the red panda's night house since early June. Before he makes his public debut, however, the Zoo says he needs an official name.
There are five options voters can choose from:
Tiago - Portuguese for Jacob, the name of the cub's father.
Herman Melville - In honor of the author of Moby Dick, and an ode to New Bedford’s whaling history.
Rudy - Because he’s red, and in reference to the movie Rudy, where the character overcomes great odds to succeed.
Kodo - meaning “grain” in Nepalese, the language of the red panda’s native habitat.
Theo - in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, founder of the National Parks.
The public can vote on their favorite name for the panda cub by clicking here. Voting ends Tuesday September 1st.
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(Photo: Buttonwood Zoo/Facebook)