NC Zoo Asks Public To Help Name Adopted Polar Bear

The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro has adopted a wild polar bear. The organization is asking the public to pick a name for it.

The zoo adopted her through the Polar Bears International conservation program. She lives with her two cubs in the western Hudson Bay area of Canada. The public can follow her travels online because she's wearing a GPS collar to track her movements.

Polar bear populations in the wild are considered "vulnerable" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The North Carolina Zoo has served as an official Arctic Ambassador Center for PBI since 2009. It's already home to a breeding pair of polar bears.

Zoo officials have created an online public poll to help name the animal. Some of the choices include “Yura,” which means “one who is beautiful” in Inuit, “Tapeesa,” which means “Artic flower” and “Carolina.”

Voting began this week on the zoo's social media channels. The winning name will be announced on Nov. 20.

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