Baby jaguar cubs named after two contests held by The Living Desert

Two different contests to name The Living Desert’s first ever jaguar cubs have concluded. The two male cubs are now called ‘Rico’, Spanish for Rich, and ‘Tesoro’, Spanish for treasure.

The pair can be seen on exhibit in the North American section of the zoo.

“We couldn’t be happier with the winning names,” said Allen Monroe, President/CEO of The Living Desert. “Rico and Tesoro truly are a rich treasure for the zoo and the cubs continue to delight visitors with their playful demeanor.”

The first name contest gave visitors an option of paying one dollar per vote to choose their favorite name among four choices selected by zookeepers.

Rico received the most votes by a landslide, and the second cub’s name was selected as a result of an ebay auction that raised hundreds of dollars for the zoo.

The winning bidder was Karen Casier of Palm Desert, who has also volunteered at The Living Desert for nearly seven years, according to officials. In addition to naming one of the cubs, Casier receives a commemorative jaguar plush, framed photo of the jaguar cub and a private, behind-the-scenes jaguar tour for up to four people.

The money raised from the auction directly supports The Living Desert’s conservation and preservation efforts.

Officials at The Living Desert recommended that the names be associated with the jaguars’ native South, Central and North America habitat.

Rico and Tesoro were born to Magia and Memo who were brought together as part of the Species Survival Plan. They are the first ever jaguar cubs birthed at The Living Desert.

The Living Desert- Cost of admission:

$17.25 Adults
$15.75 Seniors & Military
$8.75 Children 3 – 12
Children under 3 are free

The Living Desert is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.