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MEDIA
RELEASE
May 19, 2010
CONTACT:
Kara Bussabarger
kara.bussabarger@louisvilleky.gov
502-238-5331 (502-744-5639 Media Cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 Louisville
Zoo’s male baby giraffe named Crosby
The Louisville Zoo’s male baby giraffe now has
a name—Crosby.
The name was submitted by 13-year-old Josie
Willis of Louisville as part of the Zoo’s Baby Giraffe naming contest
presented by Floyd Memorial Women’s Services.
Willis is a student at Crosby Middle School.
The school sent in 430 entries for the name Crosby, which included
letters of support and drawings. Brenda Gunnell, a sixth grade language
arts teacher at Crosby Middle School, was the organizer behind all the
entries as part of Crosby’s Cougar Pride Week on animal awareness.
“I really wanted Crosby to win!” Gunnell said.
“I think it is absolutely wonderful that the public got behind the name
with their voting and that one of our students won. I hope this will be
a legacy for our students—that maybe someday they will bring their own
kids to the Zoo to meet Crosby and know they played a part in naming
him.”
The Louisville Zoo judges, comprised of animal
managers and zookeepers who care for the giraffes, narrowed close to
6,700 entries down to three: Crosby, Sebastian and Steve.
Zoo visitors then voted for their favorite name
by making a contribution via coins or bills into the slots of the naming
contest kiosk on the Zoo’s front plaza. The name with the highest total
donations was declared the winner.
The competition was competitive and Crosby won
by a narrow margin. A total of $1,017.60 was raised through the voting
process, with Crosby receiving $344.02. All proceeds support the Zoo’s
efforts to provide excellent care for animals, a great experience for
our guests and a better future for all living things.
There were multiple entries for each finalist
name selected, so winners were chosen at random.
As the grand prize winner, Willis will receive
a prize package valued at $810. It includes $500 Fly Bucks from Frontier
Airlines, $50 Calistoga Artisan Sandwich gift card, plush stuffed animal
and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo’s giraffe exhibit.
Second runner up was the name Sebastian,
submitted by 51-year-old Maxine Palmer of Crestwood with $340.19, and
third place was the name Steve, submitted by 12-year-old Natalie Young
of Louisville, with $333.39. The two runners up will receive a prize
package valued at $80—which includes a $50 Calistoga Artisan Sandwich
gift card, a plush stuffed animal and a fair-trade item from the Zoo’s
gift shop.
Additional support for the Zoo’s Baby Giraffe
naming contest is provided by Frontier Airlines, Momslikeme.com and
Calistoga Artisan Sandwiches.
BACKGROUND
Masai giraffe Crosby was born on Monday,
January 11, to 22-year-old Mariah at the Louisville Zoo.
The Louisville Zoo has had a successful giraffe
breeding program over the years and Crosby is the 20th giraffe to be
born in the Zoo’s 40 year history. He is currently on exhibit daily,
weather permitting.
Giraffe photo by Kara
Bussabarger
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The
Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky,
is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by
providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for
visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation
education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Association of
Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
***
Get
up-to-date information about the Zoo’s upcoming Glacier Run exhibit
by checking out our new
Glacier Run blog. You can also show your love for the Louisville
Zoo by becoming a fan on
Facebook and
Twitter.
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