Beluga Calf Named by Public
Female calf will be called Nala, which means ‘surprise gift’ in Inuktitut
Staff and volunteers at the Vancouver Aquarium are delighted to share news of the winning choice in a national contest to name the newest beluga calf born on June 7, 2009.
Nala is the winning name and is short for Nalautsaagaq, meaning special surprise gift, in the Inuit language of Inuktitut.
Over three thousand qualifying entries were received from across the country. A Top 5 list determined by a judging panel was then sent to Vancouver Aquarium members, who had the honour of voting for the final selection. The shortlist included Nala, Sila, Kuvi, Nalli and Uumamarik.
The name Nala was submitted by the Joyce family of Burnaby who visited the Vancouver Aquarium shortly after Nala arrived in the world. Dad Dave, mom Katie and eight-year-old son Devin, were astounded and pleased when they found out live, on December 2nd, that their submission was the final name chosen for the calf. Katie Joyce advised “we chose the name because Nala is a surprise gift for everyone who visits the Vancouver Aquarium to be able to see and learn about these amazing animals”.
Hannah who was our winner from 2008 and submitted the winning name of Tiqa was on hand to congratulate and hand over the grand prize to the delighted and amazed Joyce family, which included a one of a kind Beluga encounter hosted by the Aquarium’s marine mammal team, an annual family membership, and a $200.00 gift certificate from the Gift Shop – just in time for the holidays.
