(Cleveland)- Beginning today, guests can cast their vote to help name the three-month-old cubs and contribute to species conservation efforts. The naming opportunity coincides with the cubs move to the new state-of-the-art Asian Highlands destination that opened in June. Following several months of growth and development, the cubs and their mom, Sombra, are now ready to enjoy the larger and more complex spaces offered by Asian Highlands including the cub yard with specially designed climbing platforms for younger cats. To participate in the naming opportunity, guests can cast their vote(s) at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in the Asian Highlands destination or online with a donation to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo through the Future for Wildlife Fund at futureforwildlife.org/cubnaming. The cub trio is made up of two males and one female. Guests can choose from the following names:
- Bodhi – meaning enlightenment
- Goji – meaning goji berry, a fruit native to Asia
- Nisha – meaning night
- Omid – meaning hope
- Zara – meaning flower
Funds raised will directly support the Zoo’s conservation efforts to protect snow leopards in Central Asia in partnership with the Snow Leopard Trust. The cub names will be selected based on three names that receive the highest combined donation total online and on Zoo grounds. Voting ends at midnight August 7, 2018. Scientists estimate that there are fewer than 7,000 Snow Leopards remaining in the remote mountains of central Asia. Poaching, prey loss and habitat loss are the primary threats to this solitary and elusive cat. The cub triplets were born weighing just over one pound each and now each top more than 13 pounds. The cubs will remain with their mom, Sombra, until they become independent which typically occurs around 1.5 years of age. The arrival of the snow leopard cubs at Asian Highlands coincides with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Asian Lantern Festival, presented by Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Each Thursday through Sunday for five weeks, hundreds of large-scale, colorful lanterns illuminate the Zoo in a first-of-its-kind after hours experience from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. The festival is building off the success of the new Asian Highlands destination and Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s celebration of Asian culture. Guests visiting the cubs in Asian Highlands can now purchase the latest KeyBank ZooKey featuring the snow leopard. With over two dozen designated boxes placed throughout the Zoo, the commemorative key provides a special experience for kids of all ages with exclusive, educational messages specific to animals across the Zoo. KeyBank ZooKeys are available for purchase at the Box Office and any attraction ticket location. The KeyBank ZooKey is also available as part of the Total Experience Pass powered by CPP.
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