-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
Philadelphia Zoo (3400 West Girard) is thrilled to announce the arrival of three Ankole-Watusi (Ankole) cattle, now on exhibit on African Plains. Called “Cattle of Kings” Ankole are renowned for massive crescent or lyre-shaped horns, measuring up to 8-feet wide, that continue to grow as the animals age, eventually weighing up to 15 lbs. each. Gentle in nature and massive in size, Ankole can weigh between 1,200 and 1,600 lbs., making them an incredible sight to see.
“We are thrilled to bring this striking breed to the Zoo for the first time in our 163-year history. We are certain they will enhance our visitor’s experience while highlighting the conservation work the Zoo supports in Uganda. There, through work with the New Nature Foundation, the Zoo empowers people to live in greater harmony with nature, and our new Ankole cattle will help to share that important story,” says Michael Stern, the Zoo’s Andrew J. Baker Curator of Primates & Small Mammals and Acting Curator of Carnivores & Ungulates.
In celebration of the Ankole’s arrival, the Zoo is enlisting the help of the public to name their new residents. Selecting from a list of names developed by zookeepers, and in line with the traditions of Uganda’s Banyankole people (originators of the Ankole breed), the suggested names are based on the color of the cattle’s hair or on its personality. Staff from the Zoo have narrowed down their choices and fans can visit Name Our Ankole Cattle – Philadelphia Zoo to choose their favorite moniker. Names will be announced on May 16th.
Fans can choose one name from each pairing below:
Ngabu — (Nn-gah-boo) – Means speckled white and brown cattle
or
Yamaani – (Yah-mah-nee) – Means Energetic
Gaaju — (Gah-joo) – Means dark brown cattle
or
Kuburanganiza — (Koo-boo-ran-gah-nee-zah) – Means Curious
Mbaale (Mm-bah-lay) – Means reddish brown cattle
or
Kutekaana (Koo-tay-kah-nah) – Means calm
Native to East Africa, Ankole are descendants of an ancient breed of cattle that lived in the Nile Valley around 4000 BC. Traditionally considered sacred, Ankole supplied milk (and only rarely meat) as an owner’s wealth was counted in livestock. As domesticated cattle, Ankole are not threatened, thanks to the dedicated efforts of breeders and zoos, but their cousins in the wild can be at the interface of human-wildlife interactions.
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