Cincinnati Loves "Lucy"
Cincinnati Zoo's Baby Bearcat Named Today

The Cincinnati Zoo’s four-month-old female bearcat finally has a name. More than 2,000 names were submitted over the two-week-long contest and it is clear that Cincinnati Loves “Lucy.” The Cincinnati Zoo and University of Cincinnati also love Lucy and unanimously selected the name from a list of the top vote-getters. Other names considered were Binti, Joni, Nancy, Bindi, and Yucie.

Coincidentally, the Zoo’s two-year-old male bearcat is already named “Ricky” so the duo reflects the popularity of the 1951 hit sitcom, “I Love Lucy.”

“It’s not only fitting that Ricky and Lucy are together again, but the name also incorporates the University of Cincinnati’s initials,” said Thane Maynard, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. “We hope that the students and staff at the University of Cincinnati and the entire Cincinnati community love Lucy as much as we do.”

Visitors can meet “Lucy” daily in the Children’s Zoo Nursery during Zoo Babies, May 10-25. Each day throughout Zoo Babies event, guests can hear from Lucy’s animal caretakers at 11 am during “Baby Talks.” To help celebrate the return of the bearcat, the Cincinnati Zoo is offering half-price Zoo admission to all University of Cincinnati students, faculty and staff with a valid UC ID now through May 25.

Do the Zoo! Zoo Babies is free with regular Zoo admission. Regular admission prices are $13/adults, $8/children (2-12), children under two are free and parking is additional. The Zoo opens daily at 9 am. See the Zoo Babies, May 10–25. For more information, call (513) 281-4700

Watch the Press Conference!