‘Kamla’ and ‘Rowley’ are the top two names that have been suggested by members of the public so far for the two rare white Bengal tiger cubs at the Emperor Valley Zoo, in Port-of-Spain. So said president of the Zoological Society of T&T Gupte Lutchmedial, during an interview with the T&T Guardian at the zoo yesterday. “The top two names are Kamla and Rowley,” he said, in apparent reference to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. “These names have gathered over a hundred votes at the last count.”
But he said it is unlikely those two names will be chosen by the society, in order not to offend anyone. The society launched a competition on March 1, inviting patrons to suggest names for the cubs. The competition will come to an end on March 31, when the two most popular names will be chosen for the cubs. The two cubs were born to Rajasi and Shere Khan on January 10 at the zoo and are the only white Bengal tigers to be born in this part of the world.
Lutchmedial said some of the other popular names for the cubs are Raja and Rani, Tan-Tan and Saga-Boy and Stripes and Snowflakes. The cubs were six weeks old yesterday. The winner of the competition will receive a pass for free entry to the zoo for one year. Lutchmedial also addressed the possibility that the cubs will be kept in T&T, as was requested by Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.
“That decision is still under consideration, we have to weigh all the factors, including whether we can provide adequately for the cubs, whether they can be housed, fed and mated properly if we keep them.” Lutchmedial also revealed that the society is considering allowing members of the public to take photos with the cubs for a price. “We have had hundreds upon hundreds of requests, people are calling and offering up to $5,000 to spend ten minutes with them,” he said.
He said the idea was being considered because so far only a privileged few have been able to interact one-on-one with the cubs. “It is unfair to the average person, who may never get a chance to touch the cubs or play with them, so we are thinking about giving everyone an equal chance.” He explained the society is hoping to come to a decision before the cubs turn eight weeks old.
Photo op
The society had decided since Saturday to allow two people to take photos with the cubs each time the cubs are brought out for viewing. The cubs are brought out at 10.30 am, 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm daily to be viewed by the public. On Saturday over 400 people turned up to see the cubs at the 4.30 viewing alone. Educational officer at the zoo, Solange De Silva, said the cubs are growing rapidly, with the male cub already weighing 16 pounds and the female weighing 13 pounds.