The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums
Just over a week ago, the Taronga Zoo in Australia welcomed the birth of an elephant calf they thought had died during labor. Now this "miracle calf" needs a name and you can help by entering the contest to name the baby pachyderm. In this series of shots, Taronga keeper and ace lenswoman Bobby-Jo Vial captures the essence of Mr. Shuffles.
Many more photos below the fold…
how about “Mr. Sleepy” ?
Um, what’s wrong with the name Mr. Shuffles?
Since I’m in France I won’t enter the contest -I’d say number 3 anyway- but I’d like some (good!) news of the little guy and Taronga Zoo site seems being sleepy too..So, what about the cutie’s health?
I hope that I an not being immodest, but I would be most happy to bestow my name upon the little fellow.
Regards
Uncle
I just hope this dear little boy has a long and happy life.
I think “Mr Shuffles” is a perfect name!
I rather like Mr. Shuffles, too, but it’s a bit undignified for the gigantic gentleman he will be someday, so how about something like Milagro, meaning ‘miracle’? And I too wish him a long and healthy life, I’m glad he is in the world.
So am I glad he’s in the world. I imagine that he sleeps because of his age and because his was a protracted and difficult birth.
How about “Lazarus”?
This little boy is so handsome. I’m certain he will be a blessing for all who witness his recovery. So I think his name should be BRACHA which means ‘blessing’ in Hebrew.
That picture in the water is terrific. Talk about gleeful.
He really is adorable. I like the name “miracle” because they were certain he had died before his birth; his very existence is a miracle, so I think that it would be a very fitting moniker for him, and a lot more dignified that “Mr Shuffles”.
Lazarus is good. So is “Sir Prize.”
I think he should be called Mr Shuffles as well. This little guy had a very dire and serious start to his life, he could use whimsey in his name.
I keep seeing the name as Mr Snuffles, which I can’t help but call him now 🙂
No matter what they name him he will forever be Mr. Shuffles to me.
I thought of the name Milagro as well!
It is my Grandson’s middle name as he is a miracle baby as well!
It’s a very special name!
I think he should remain “Mr. Shuffles.” It’s adorable, and why change it? It was someone’s first instinct, and really, he doesn’t need some pretentious name that has some DEEP MEANING. Mr. Shuffles is a miracle and he will be known as such! An adorable miracle!
he is sooooo cute! look at those eyes, they are full of wonder.. i only hope he was born free, its sad that such wonderful animals get a chance to live inside zoos and not in nature where they belong..
how about the name Vignesh.. its the name of a Hindu god who has the head of an elephant.. he is also supposed to bring joy to people which this little baby surely does! 🙂
His name has to be Thai to honor his heritage. That’s what the zoo says, anyway. I wonder what the Thai translation of “Mr. Shuffles” is?
Mr. Shuffles is the best name
Can’t get enough of this little calf. And he will always be Mr Shuffles to Sydneysiders. I know it is politically correct to give him a Thai name, but it doesn’t connect as well with us.
I WOULD SUGGEST SINCE THE BABY IS A BOY
AND ACTUALLY IS ALIVE DUE TO A MIRACLE…
“MIRACLE” WOULD BE THE RIGHT NAME
UNLESS… IN SWAHILI –
“MWIJIZA” (MIRACLE)
“TEMBO” (ELEPHANT)
Regards,
Neron Dali
ANGELS MAKE MIRACLES ???
THEN WHY NOT CALL THIS CUTE BABY:
“MALAIKA” – (ANGEL IN SWAHILI)
Regards
Neron Dali
I would like to suggest “Milagro”. It seems fitting for such a great little fella.
Oh, he is wonderful, and someday he’ll need a man’s name: SURVIVOR
I like the idea of a Maori name since this this cute fellow is in Australia. I like the name Merekara since it means miracle.
Mr Snufffles suits him, and is fine for now while he’s a baby, and when he’s all grown up, we can call him Mister! Welcome to the world, it’s nice to have you with us..
When do we learn his chosen name?
Pathi Harn, Son or Porntip..
I love the name, Mr Shuffles, but the rules for naming animals born in zoos, like Taronga (who have exchange agreements and such with other countries and Thailand was the one in this case).. is that they adopt a name which reflects the culture and country of origin.
He was blessed by Thai Buddhist monks and named accordingly..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8587095.stm
How about calling him ‘Choodo’? It’s ‘a miracle’ in Russian. I think it’s sounds nice for an elephant’s name 🙂
Leave a Reply to Linda CarruthCancel reply