By Fatma Younis
Edinburgh Zoo has launched a public vote to name three newborn capybara pups born last week to parents Luna and Rodney.
Triplets confirmed as two males, one female
Keepers discovered the pups last Wednesday after they were born overnight. Following a veterinary check-up by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), staff confirmed the litter consists of two boys and a girl. The week-old animals have been weighed and microchipped.
Five themed naming options offered
The zoo has presented five sets of three names each, drawing on Scottish themes. Options include Scottish food and drink references (Tattie, Tunnock, Toddy), island names (Harris, Skye, Barra), geographical terms (Ben, Cairn, Brae), characters from the sitcom Still Game (Jack, Victor, Isa), and space-themed names (Nova, Laika, Apollo) referencing mother Luna and the zoo's Giant Lanterns cosmic safari.
The competition follows the viral fame of Bru, a male capybara born in May who was the first of his species born in Scotland in 18 years. Darren McGarry, head of animal care at Edinburgh Zoo, said Bru was adjusting to no longer being the center of attention but would likely bond with his new siblings. Voting on the zoo's social media channels closes on November 9.
