VANCOUVER AQUARIUM’S BELUGA CALF NAMED BY PUBLIC
Female calf will be called Nala, which means ‘surprise gift’ in Inuktitut
Vancouver, BC – Staff and volunteers at the Vancouver Aquarium are delighted to share news of the winning choice in a national contest to name the newest beluga calf born on June 7, 2009.
Nala is the winning name. Nala is short for Nalautsaagaq in the Inuit language of Inuktitut.
Over three thousand qualifying entries were received from across the country. A Top 5 list determined by a judging panel was then sent to Vancouver Aquarium members, who had the honour of voting for the final selection. The shortlist included Nala, Sila, Kuvi, Nalli and Uumamarik.
The name Nala was submitted by the Joyce family of Burnaby who visited the Vancouver Aquarium shortly after Nala arrived in the world. Dad Dave, mom Katie and eight-year-old son Devin, were astounded and pleased when they found out live the morning of December 2 that their submission was the final name chosen for the calf. Katie Joyce advised “we chose the name because Nala is a surprise gift for everyone who visits the Vancouver Aquarium to be able to see and learn about these amazing animals”. The Joyce family will receive the Grand Prize of a one of a kind Beluga encounter hosted by the Aquarium’s marine mammal team, an annual family membership, and a $200.00 gift certificate from the Gift Shop – just in time for the holidays.
Name the Baby Beluga - Contest Background
During the contest period which ran for three weeks in November, thousands of people from across the country submitted their naming suggestions. Entrants were asked to submit names from the Inuit language of Inuktitut, and had the opportunity to learn more about Inuit language online on the Aquarium’s website, as well as about Inuit culture and the fascinating region of Canada’s Arctic. A panel of judges selected the Top 5 names and the shortlist went to Aquarium members to make the final selection.
About the Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a global leader in connecting people to our natural world, and a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, conservation practices, education, research and direct action. Learn more at www.vanaqua.org
Media Contacts:
Helen Lee
Public Relations Coordinator
604.659.3775
helen.lee@vanaqua.org
Sarah Kirby Yung
VP, Marketing & Communications
604.659.3438
sarah.kirbyyung@vanaqua.org