Japan zoo apologizes for naming newborn monkey Charlotte

TOKYO - A Japanese zoo has apologized after being criticized for naming a baby monkey Charlotte, the name of the newborn British princess.

The Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden said Thursday it was considering renaming the macaque. It was flooded with angry calls and emails Wednesday after announcing the name for its first monkey born this year, a tradition at the zoo run by the southern city of Oita.

Charlotte was the favorite in a public ballot, receiving 59 out of 853 votes in the counting, conducted after the female monkey was born Wednesday.

Votes for Charlotte surged after the British princess was named Monday and topped the ballot in the last three days of voting, which ran from March 27 to May 6.

Many critics said giving the princess' name to a monkey was disrespectful to British royals. According to zoo official Akira Asano, some said the Japanese people would feel offended if a monkey were named after Japanese princesses.

The complaints originated in Japan. Asano said he was not aware of any complaints from British citizens. He said the zoo has also received support for Charlotte, and the views are now largely divided.

"We deeply apologize for causing trouble to many people over the naming of the first baby (monkey)," said a statement posted on the zoo's website. "We take these opinions seriously."

Officials at the zoo and the city were still discussing what to do with the monkey's name. The zoo now plans to seek advice from the British Embassy before making a final decision, Kyodo News agency reported.

The embassy declined to comment, and Japan's Foreign Ministry said it was not involved with the issue.