Lincoln Park Zoo's Klipspringer Calf Gets Swahili Name 'Asha'

The healthy klipspringer born at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, last month has finally been baptized with a Swahili name.

In a latest announcement, zoo authorities revealed that the female Klipspringer calf born on March 30 to Dash (sire) and Triumph (dam), finally gets its name 'Asha' which means hope.  According to the zoo authorities, the name is perfect because the calf's arrival inspired hope for zoo visitors as well for the wildlife in future.

The name Asha was selected out of the five names given by the zoo caregivers. The five Swahili names given reflect the dwarf antelope species' African Origins. The five names include Asha, Amira, Bahiya, Nadra and Zuri.  But Asha edged over the other Swahili names in the naming poll with the name receiving nearly 3,650 votes, as mentioned in the blog.  

Asha is the second offspring of her parents who were mated under the Klipspringer Species Survival Program (SSP). The new calf was introduced to the new zoo environment along with sister Arya.

'Zuri' was the second name that won the second highest votes of 1,157. The baby calf is kept at the Regenstein African Journey. She is currently under constant watch by the caregivers and is fed around the clock to ensure proper intake of nutrition.

The baby klipspringers name and the meaning of the new name were announced by the President and CEO Kevin Bell.

"The klipspringer calf is healthy and eating well and, as a result, has almost doubled her weight since birth," said Curator of Mammals, Mark Kamhout. "Currently, the calf is being hand-reared by our animal care staff after the mother was unable to provide adequate care."

Klipspringers, dwarf antelopes, mostly thrive in central and eastern African. They weigh nearly 24 pounds on an average  and they are known to mark their region with the help of their sweat gland on their faces and use their horns to battle for their mate.