LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Zoo celebrated the birth of its first Sumatran tiger cub in 20 years back in late July. Now, the zoo needs the public's help in naming it!
Zookeepers at the Islands have chosen three potential names the reflect the cub's significance and honor his parents:
- Satu (sah-too): It means “one” in Indonesian. "With less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, every cub is vital for the survival of this critically endangered species," the zoo said.
- Saya Sambal (Sigh-ya-sah-m-ball): This name honors the cub's dad, Kami Sambal, who passed away on Aug. 20. The zoo said Kami’s name means “we are spicy sauce” in Indonesian, referring to the wild nature of tigers, which are not domesticated and are often trafficked for the pet trade, leading to significant conservation issues. “Saya Sambal” means “I am spicy sauce," officials added.
- Kaji (kah-gee): This name is a combination of both the cub's parents’ names, Kami and Jingga. "Their legacy will live on through this cub, contributing to the conservation of Sumatran tigers for future generations," officials said.
The community can vote on which name they love most now through Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 11 p.m.
You can vote once daily by clicking here.
According to Louisville Zoo officials, both the cub and his mother remain off exhibit while they continue bonding, but you can watch a live feed of the two tigers here on the zoo's website.
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