2013-06-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Woodland Park Zoo’s jaguar Junior names his first-born son Kuwan (koo-wahn), from the South American Hopi tribe meaning “butterfly showing beautiful wings.” The naming ceremony took place Friday, June 14 in celebration of Junior’s first Father’s Day.
Three names—Cruz, Tlaloc (tlah-luke) and Kuwan—were individually paired with tasty, enticing piñatas molded into maracas and displayed for Junior in Jaguar Cove during Friday’s naming ceremony. The three colorful piñatas tempted Junior toward his big decision with the scents of raw, juicy chicken. After sniffing at the piñatas representing Cruz and Kuwan, Junior retreated to his rock for a thoughtful moment, then returned to the piñatas to make his final decision: Kuwan.
Zookeepers nominated Kuwan in reference to the male cub’s butterfly-shaped marking on his head, which distinguishes him from his sisters. The two female cubs will be named privately.
The zoo’s jaguar pair, 14-year-old Junior and 7-year-old Nayla, gave birth to triplets—two girls and one boy—in March.
The tempting piñatas were handmade by Junior’s zookeepers and stuffed with his favorite meats, chicken and ground turkey. The piñatas are part of the zoo’s enrichment program, which stimulates the animals’ senses, promotes natural animal behavior and often rewards the animals with tasty, nutritious treats.
Nayla and the cubs are living off view in a maternity den until they are old enough to climb and safely explore their spacious, award-winning Jaguar Cove exhibit. The zoo hopes to introduce the family to the exhibit this summer. To learn about the cubs’ growth and progress, visit the zoo’s blog: bit.ly/11wQbYK.
For zoo hours, admission and general information, or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org. Or call 206.548.2500 or 548.2599 (TTY).
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Media contact: Gigi Allianic, Caileigh Robertson
206.548.2550 | woodlandparkzoopr@zoo.org