US national zoo opens contest to name panda
(AP)
Updated: 2005-08-25 11:33

WASHINGTON -- The National Zoo on Wednesday announced a nationwide contest to choose the name of its giant panda cub.

Three weeks after the birth of a giant panda cub, seen during its weekly exam August 24, 2005, San Diego Zoo veterinarians have determined that the cub is a girl. The female cub weighs 22 ounces or just in excess of a pound and is 29.5 centimetres from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail. As Chinese tradition dictates, naming the cub will not occur until the cub is 100 days old. [Reuters]

 

The China Wildlife Conservation Association and zoo officials selected five names to choose from, said Matt O'Lear, a spokesman for Friends of the National Zoo.

One voter will be chosen at random to receive a trip for two to Washington and what zoo officials call a "private visit" with the giant panda family, among other prizes.

The male cub, born July 9, is the first giant panda born at the National Zoo to survive more than a few weeks. The mother, Mai Xiang, and the father, Tian Tian, are on a 10-year loan from China. The cub will be sent to China when it is 2.

Voting on the zoo's Web site runs through Sept. 30. The winning name will be announced in October.

The choices:

* Hua Sheng (hwah-'SHUNG), which means "China Washington" and "magnificent."

* Sheng Hua ('SHUNG-hwah), which means "Washington China" and "magnificent."

* Tai Shan (tie-'SHON), which means "peaceful mountain."

* Long Shan (lohng-'SHON), which means "dragon mountain."

* Qiang Qiang (chee-'ONG chee-'ONG), which means "strong, powerful."

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