That cute, cuddly kitten at a zoo is really a jaguar cub that will be pretty ferocious when it grows up, but it’s really popular right now as it brought in $12,000 in a naming contest.
The Living Desert zoo in Palm Desert Friday announced that its newest jaguar cub will be known as “Mema,” a combination of his mother’s name Magia and his father’s name Memo.
The male cub born Jan. 26 was named by local art collector and philanthropist Donna MacMillan, who won the right to name Mema with a $12,000 bid at the park’s Zoobilee Gala earlier this month.
The baby jag has been officially named ‘Mema’ by The Living Desert’s long-time supporter Donna MacMillan! #MemaCub #babyJag #theLivingDesert pic.twitter.com/llrDXgnAiB
— The Living Desert (@livingdesert) March 24, 2017
“I’m so honored to have been able to name this beautiful cub. I chose the name `Mema’ because I felt it was important to combine his mother’s and father’s names,” MacMillan said. “The Living Desert is a special place and I’m proud to be involved with such an important conservation organization. And what a thrill it was to meet the cub in person!”
Palm Desert is an upscale community near Palm Springs.
The cub, whose early days have been on display via a 24/7 live streaming “JagCam,” has been in relative seclusion otherwise since the birth, as he continues to bond with his mother in an off-exhibit den.
Mema and Magia are expected to make their exhibit debut in mid-April.
“We are extremely grateful for our generous supporters and are thrilled that Ms. MacMillan was able to name our newest jaguar cub,” said Allen Monroe, president and CEO of the Living Desert. “We are happy to see that Magia and Mema are doing so well, and we encourage everyone to continue to watch the live JagCam on our website.”
— City News Service