Cats and dogs living together! That’s what Busch Gardens has with its little 8-week old cheetah and a 16-week old yellow Labrador. The cheetah came to the Tampa theme park after its mother could not care for it at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Last weekend, this duo was introduced and eventually they will live and travel together as part of Busch Gardens’ education team.
As of this Saturday, they will be visible to guests at select times at Jambo Junction in the Nairobi section of the theme park.
The park is asking the public to help name both animals through a poll on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/buschgardenstampabay. I just clicked on the polls and got error messages, but the choices for the cheetah appear to be Kasi (“one with speed”), Matuko (“grace”), Ravanta (“breaker of speed”) and Umeme (“lightning”). Dog choices appear to be Njano (“yellow”), Tiifu (“loyal”), Thabo (“joy”) and Mtani (“close friend”). The polls close at noon on Monday, and the names, which are Swahili, will be announced that afternoon.
This is the park’s first cub-puppy combo, but it says that the arrangement is not uncommon in zoo circles.
“Male cheetahs are social and often live together in coalitions,” said Tim Smith, an animal curator at Busch Gardens. “This social bond will be a very similar relationship, and they will be together for life.”
I am in love with these two cuties. How about “Apollo” for kitty and “Zeus” for puppy?
Posted by: JoAnn | Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 12:18 PM
I don’t think it matters what you call the Cheetah, but if you keep them together too long you can eventually call the dog, “dinner.”
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 3:33 PM
I think the cheetah could be named chi-chi!!!!!!!! I also think the dog could be named cha-cha… blondie!
Have a great day, Lori J.
Posted by: Lori Jackzentis | Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 7:40 PM
How about “Doa” for the cheetah, and “Kinyesi Kichwa” for the dog.
Both are Swahili.
Posted by: Carbon | Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:45 PM
If the cheetah is due an African name, why can’t the Labrador have a nice English name? The lengths we go to be pc these days . . . . . . . .
Posted by: swampmagic | Friday, April 15, 2011 at 8:57 AM
can,t wait to see them
Posted by: mutt and jeff (after the cartoon strip) | Friday, April 15, 2011 at 5:01 PM
How about Sampson and Delilah. They are so cute together.
Posted by: Jeanne | Friday, April 15, 2011 at 6:29 PM
I think ” Chance ” for the cheetah and ” Ki-Ki or Maggie ” for the pup
Posted by: Christina | Friday, April 15, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Duma means “cheetah” in Swahili.
A movie came out in 2005 called “Duma”.
It was about an orphaned cheetah cub.
Google it or look it up on YouTube.
Posted by: Charlene | Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11:09 PM
How about naming the pair Biscuits and Gravy.
Posted by: Patrick Giffen | Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 2:46 PM
Please name them – Cubby for the Cheetah
and Buzzy for the puppy. I love these two guys…
Posted by: Rosalia Gonzalez | Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Name this odd couple Felix (cheetah) and Oscar (puppy)
Posted by: Sally Martin | Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Baby cheetah name – WONDER
Posted by: Gwen S Porch | Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Baby Cheetah Name – WONDER
Puppy Name – DOG
Posted by: Gwen S Porch | Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 6:59 PM
HOW about Hunter for Kitty and Chase for puppy?Or Nai for cheetah and Robi for lab(as in Nairobi )
Posted by: Sue Walters | Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 11:49 PM
How about Duma for the cub?
Posted by: zora | Friday, May 27, 2011 at 5:15 PM
How about Buttons & Bows. Something a little Tarzan and Jane. It is American now.
Posted by: Preppy TaTa | Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 8:56 PM
Kasi & Matlock
Posted by: Preppy TaTa | Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 9:22 PM
Thank goodness some bloggers can write. Thank you for this article.
Posted by: medicina ayurveda | Friday, October 21, 2011 at 5:17 AM
Tremendous post!!!
Posted by: dragon nest forum | Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 7:46 AM