Penguins at West Orange's Turtle Back Zoo receive new names

Published: Thursday, July 29, 2010, 4:35 PM     Updated: Thursday, July 29, 2010, 8:45 PM

Eric Goodman/The Star-Ledger

Eric Goodman/The Star-LedgerVisitors meet the newest addition to Penguin Coast, one of the most popular exhibits at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.

WEST ORANGE — Sir Turnpike and Lady Parkway, as well as Good and Plenty, were among the top six names submitted by Turtle Back Zoo-goers for two new African Penguins who have, until this afternoon, remained nameless.
But zoo officials opted instead for sweet sounding names that better fit the birds' character.
As a result, the new additions to Penguin Coast exhibit will be called "Cookies" and "Cream," Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. announced this afternoon.
"We wanted to match the personality to the names and these birds are very sweet," said Zoo Director Dr. Jeremy Goodman.
The penguins, each about 2 years old, were born in Denver and brought to the zoo through a species survival and breeding program, said Kelly Laven, a senior bird keeper at the county zoo in West Orange.
Penguin fans seemed to think the new names were a good fit.
"They remind me of cookies!" said 6-year-old Musconetcong Valley Camp Association camper Matthew Megara.
"They were so cute, I liked them a lot," added 9-year-old MVCA camper Lily Smith.
Almost 3,000 names were suggested by visitors and fans, said DiVincenzo.
"We try to get the public involved to say thank you; They are the real owners," DiVincenzo said.

The penguins are back at the Turtle Back Zoo

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