Help Name An African Painted Dog Pup At Brookfield Zoo [PHOTOS]

African Painted Dog Puppy at Brookfield Zoo

Photo credit Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society

By WBBM Newsradio Staff, WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Brookfield Zoo virtually debuted seven African painted dog puppies during its weekday “Bringing the Zoo to You” Facebook Live chat on April 28.

All of the puppies have names with the exception of one of the males. Now, the zoo is asking for the public’s help in naming him.

The animal care staff has chosen four potential names. Those wishing to help in the final selection, can cast a vote for their favorite on the zoo’s website.

The name choices are:

Kashyyyk (pronounced KA-sheek)—name of a planet in Star Wars
Shaki (pronounced shah-KEY)—means “shark” in Chewa, which is from the Bantu language in Zimbabwe, where African painted dogs are native
Taya (pronounced TA-yah)—means “jaws” in Swahili
Kwanza—means “first” in Swahili (he was the first born in the litter)

Voting will take place beginning Thursday, May 7, at noon and continues through May 20, at 5 p.m.

The name with the most votes will be announced on Thursday, May 21.

Since the zoo is currently closed, the public is encouraged to visit the zoo’s Facebook page or Youtube channel to see video of the African painted dog puppies shown during the live chat.

Photo credit Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society