ASHEBORO, N.C. (WFMY) – Welcome the newest bundle of joy to the North Carolina Zoo – Nandi!
PHOTOS: NC Zoo Names New Baby Rhino 'Nandi'
The North Carolina Zoo (NC Zoo) has named its female southern white baby rhino after asking for you to weigh in on a public poll.
The NC Zoo decided on the name of Nandi with also the help from dad Stormy! It’s pronounced (Nahn-dee). The female rhino was the first one born at the Zoo in 41 years. She was born to mother Linda and father Stormy.
The vote included seven names chosen by the Zoo’s rhino zookeepers. Each of the names offered included; Nandi, Mamba, Diana, Boadicea, Grace O’Malley, Penelope and Wilhelmina. The names reflected the theme of strong, female leaders in history, both factual and mythical.
The top three names chosen in the public poll were Nandi, Mamba and Diana.
Dad stormy helped choose the name after three African poles filled with hay were placed several feet apart. Stormy ate the hay from the poll named Nandi!
According to the NC Zoo, Nandi means "a woman of high esteem," was the Queen of the Zulus and was born in the 1760s. She died in 1827 in the area now known as South Africa. Nandi was the mother of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Shaka is considered by some as one of the greatest Zulu chiefs and African military leaders. There are accounts that his establishment of all-female regiments was influenced by his warrior-mother.
The second baby rhino was born on Friday the 13TH IN July at the zoo.