| ||
|
The name is official now: Nuremberg's polar bear baby will keep the name its carers in Nuremberg Zoo have used for their charge right from the beginning: "Flocke" (snow flake). A jury consisting of representatives from the City Administration, the City Council and Nuremberg Zoo, and chaired by Nuremberg's Lord Mayor, Dr. Ulrich Maly, came to this decision today. Over 50,000 emails, letters and postcards with suggestion for a name arrived from Germany and all over the world. In this correspondence, the name "Flocke" was suggested quite frequently. This was taken into account for the decision. "We are overwhelmed by the huge interest. The pictures of Nuremberg's polar bear baby which went around the world have obviously deeply touched many people. We would like to thank all those who participated and contributed to the finding of a name with so much love and care", said Lord Mayor, Dr. Ulrich Maly. He added that the City of Nuremberg intended to make good use of "Flocke's" popular appeal. "We want the best for our Zoo, not necessarily the maximum amount, though", emphasized Dr. Maly. He emphaised that the well-being of the animal was to be the crucial consideration. Mayor Horst Förther, responsible for the Municipal Zoo, added: "We do intend to make a profit with the brand "Polar Bear Flocke", which will all go towards the Zoo and its goals. We are confident that we will achieve good results with various partners." "The major public interest will hopefully contribute to "Flocke" becoming an ambassador for the endangered habitat of her fellow polar bears", said the Zoo's director, Dr. Dag Encke. |
