What’s in a name? Voting opens for Zoo elephant calf

The Columbus Zoo’s newest baby girl elephant is romping around without a name, but you can help change that.

The public is invited to vote for their favorite name choice from a list provided by one of the Zoo’s longtime supporters with input from the Zoo’s animal care team.

• Darcy: inspired by Kathy’ favorite book, “Pride and Prejudice,” by Jane Austen. Kathy and Bob also had a beloved collie named Darcy.
• Lizzie: inspired by Kathy’s middle name Elisabeth, which is also a name variation of the central character, Elizabeth, in Kathy’s favorite book, “Pride and Prejudice,” by Jane Austen.
• Ellie: inspired by Kathy’s middle name Elisabeth
• Kobie: inspired by Kathy’s last name Koblentz

“The names were selected in honor and memory of Kathryn Elisabeth Anderson Koblentz by her husband, Bob Koblentz, and their children, Maureen Koblentz Groves and Rob Koblentz. Kathy had a very special place in her heart for the Columbus Zoo and all of the animals—especially the elephants—and the Zoo team truly appreciated her, too,” said Columbus Zoo in a release. 

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Kathy first became affiliated with the Zoo in 1972 when Mel Dodge, who was then director of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, recruited her to help prepare the Zoo’s budget.

Since then, she’s received several recognitions from the Zoo including being named the Honorary Docent by the Columbus Zoo’s Docent Association and the Board Leadership Award from the Zoo Association. 

 From December 12, 2018 until January 3, 2019, fans can vote for a single name within each 24-hour period on the Zoo’s website.

[symple_button url=”https://columbuszoo.org/Name-The-Elephant” color=”black” button_target=”_self”]VOTE[/symple_button]

The name of the female calf will be announced on the Zoo’s social media accounts and website on January 4, 2019!

The calf and her mother, Phoebe, are now spending some time each day in the elephant community room located in the Zoo’s Vanishing Giants building, where the public can view them for limited hours from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. while still offering them some privacy as they continue to bond.

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