Media Release
From the Premier

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

Voting starts tomorrow 17/2/10!
Melbourne Zoo's one month old baby elephant will be christened a Thai name that represents the floral heritage of Thailand, following a public competition, Premier John Brumby said.

Mr Brumby today launched the public naming competition for the baby elephant so the Victorian community could get involved and vote in an online poll to choose between five names.

"To celebrate the baby's one month birthday today, we are announcing a competition to give her a name," Mr Brumby said.

"Melbourne Zoo's baby elephant has captured the hearts and minds of all Victorians over the past month.

"The Melbourne Zoo is one of Victoria's most popular tourist destinations, attracting about one million visitors each year, and since the baby's arrival even more visitors have flocked to catch a glimpse of the new arrival.

"So it is only fitting that the public who love her so much already have the chance to help give her a name."

With the help of the Thailand consul, Simon Wallace, five names have been selected that reflect the floral heritage of Thailand and also continue the practise of naming female elephants in this herd along a botanical theme.

The names - Leelawadee (which means frangipani), Mali (jasmine), Ma Li Wan (climbing jasmine), Su Ma Li (osmanthus) and Iyares (which means both elephant and orchid and is pronounced Ai ya ret) - had been selected as the options to choose from.

Mr Brumby said any one of those would be a wonderful name and encouraged people to become involved in the process of giving the baby elephant a beautiful name.

Members of the public can cast their vote either on the Melbourne Zoo website or the Herald Sun website. The contest opens tomorrow with a winner to be selected next week.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said the baby elephant was healthy, had bonded well with her mother and the herd matriarch Mek Kapah, and had been adding about a kilogram of weight per day since her birth on January 16.

"As you can see the baby is adventurous, curious and full of energy," Mr Jennings said.

"And importantly, she demonstrates the importance of the Regional Conservation Breeding Program which the Melbourne Zoo has been involved in for a number of years.

"The Asian elephant is an extremely endangered animal. This program, which involves many zoos across Australasia, is doing a wonderful job in helping preserve the population of this majestic animal."

The winning voter will receive a $15,000 Thai holiday donated by Thai Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Vote on www.heraldsun.com.au or www.zoo.org.au/babyelephant