Ad
Featured
What is the name of the zoo’s newest baby hippo?
Published
Modified
Albuquerque’s mayoral election may be headed to a runoff, but polling to decide the name of a baby hippo at the ABQ BioPark Zoo is clear.
In the end, Maisy bested Magdalena as voting wrapped up Tuesday.
“Maisy had the lead early on, then Magdalena pulled ahead later in the week, and the two names remained neck-and-neck up until the end,” according to a news release from the ABQ BioPark.
Maisy, which is of Scottish origin and means “pearl,” captured 37% of the 46,456 votes, the zoo announced. Magdalena, or Maggie for short, received the second-highest number at 33%.
The hippo, a female Nile calf, was born Oct. 14 to parents Karen and Moe. Shortly after her birth, the zoo asked the community to vote on their favorite name for the zoo’s newest family member. Voters had one week to choose between four names: Maisy, Magdalena, Chama or Pearl.
“We’re blown away by the number of votes and engagement from the community in helping us select a name for this lovely addition to the hippo family,” said Lynn Tupa, ABQ BioPark Zoo associate director. “We’re thankful to everyone who took the time to vote.”
At a whopping 127.9 pounds, 3-week-old Maisy is already making waves as one of the most active hippos at the zoo, according to BioPark senior keeper Bricker Thietten. Maisy has reached several of her early milestones ahead of schedule, including getting in and out of the pool.
Maisy and the rest of her hippo family, including 4-year-old sister Matilda, can be seen at their habitat in the Africa area of the zoo. Tickets range from $5-$20 and can be purchased through the ABQ BioPark’s website.
