Naming contest begins for two snow leopard cubs born at Akron Zoo

AKRON, Ohio - Two snow leopards born at the Akron Zoo in May are finally making their public debut, but they will do so without names.

The zoo has left the naming decision in the public’s hands with an online naming contest.

The choices are:

- Tai: meaning “mountain” in the Mongolic language
- Layan: short for Himalayan Mountains
- Raj: meaning “king” or “rule” in Indian
- Kovo: meaning “strong” in Indian
- Sabu: meaning “snow leopard” in Tibetan

Vote for two of the five names before Monday, Aug. 20 to be entered into a drawing for your chance to win a certificate, photo and stuffed snow leopard toy.

The snow leopards will be on exhibit every day from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. starting Monday, Aug. 13.

“The cubs are starting to act more and more like snow leopards,” the cubs’ primary keeper Sarah Kirkman said. “They have displayed great balance just in the past week or two and have been climbing and jumping and becoming a lot more adventurous.”

Watch the cubs with their mother, Shanti:

Until last month, snow leopards have never been born at the Akron Zoo.

Snow leopards are an endangered species and only nine cubs were born this year as a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan in the United States.