Milwaukee County Zoo jaguar cubs now named

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Two newcomers to the Milwaukee County Zoo have now been named! Jaguar cubs, born on November 13th to first-time mother Stella and father Pat now have names -- B'alam and Zean.

The name B'alam is the Mayan word for "jaguar," meaning "great and powerful king." That name was chosen from over 1,300 entries in a public contest.

The other name was chosen by school children in Belize. They chose the name Zean because it is the last few letters of "Belizean."

The last time the Zoo displayed jaguar cubs was 1975.

The cubs are the first offspring for Stella, 9, and Pat, 14. Because Pat is a rescued, wild-born animal from Belize, Central America, he is considered a founder to the population, and his cubs bring valuable new genes to North American zoo population.

"This makes the population more resilient and robust and contributes to jaguars being a presence, and the greater likelihood that everyone else's kids will also be able to see baby jaguars," says Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele.

The cubs received their first veterinary exams and vaccinations in early January, at approximately seven weeks of age.  Zoo vet staff report they are in good health, and weighed in at approximately 8.5 and 9.4 pounds.



"They're very cute, they're very active, and they're going to be popular for a long time here," says Milwaukee County Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser.