They are nameless no more.
The 1,000 or so suggestions have been reviewed, and the final two names for the Akron Zoo’s coyotes have been selected.
The zoo’s male has been named Shilah (shy-luh). The name has Native American origins and means brother.
The female coyote’s name is Kaliska (kuh-lis-kuh). It also has Native American origins and means coyote chasing deer.
The coyotes went on exhibit last month and are part of the zoo’s Mike & Mary Stark Grizzly Ridge exhibit, which opened earlier this year.
The final names were selected by the staff at the zoo’s animal care department. Other names that were among the finalists include Dasan (dug-sahn) for the male, which means chief and Adany (uh-dah-knee) for the female, which means “timber” or “woods.”
The coyotes were born in April at a U.S. Department of Agriculture facility in Utah.
They are on display by the red wolf exhibit.
Native of North America and Central America, coyotes weigh anywhere from 25 to 40 pounds and can thrive in a variety of climates. They hunt small prey like rabbits, according to zoo officials.
The zoo is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter admission rates are $6 per person.
For more information, visit www.akronzoo.org or call 330 375-2550.