Polar Bear Cub Named: Columbus Zoo Introduces Nora

Meet Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's new polar bear cub: Nora.

The zoo officially announced the baby's name Friday after holding a public online vote that drew participants from 115 countries, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

"We are thrilled and inspired that so many people around the world helped name this young polar bear," Tom Stalf, president and CEO of the zoo, told the Columbus Dispatch. "We hope that those who have been watching Nora grow will continue to do so throughout her life, and remember that we all have a role to play in protecting wild polar bears for generations to come."

The name was chosen from four options provided by the zoo: Nora, a combination of the cub's parents' names, Nanuq (father) and Aurora (mother); Kaya, meaning "little but wise"; Sakari, meaning "sweet"; and Desna, meaning "boss."

Nora was born on Nov. 6, 2015. She has not yet been introduced to the public, as she currently lives at the zoo's animal hospital, where she receives around-the-clock care and feeding every four hours.

Nora was one of two cubs born to Aurora and Nanuq; however, despite Aurora's effort the other cub did not survive. Zoo officials say the survival rate for a polar bear cub during the first few weeks of life is only about 50 percent.

Nora's birth is particularly special, as it is only one of two polar bears born in human care last year. Watch a time-lapse video of the first 83 days of her life:

Related Articles 

White Giraffe: Send Bids For a New Name

Blizzard: Polar Bear Is Internet Star in Baltimore

For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).

-Follow Samantha on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13