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Donegal

08th Nov 2019

Ireland’s first brown bears in 2,000 years need names

Sarah Finnan

The public went into overdrive earlier this year at the news that brown bears would be returning to Irish shores for the first time in thousands of years.

Brown bears went extinct in Ireland 2,000 years ago, however, they have since been reintroduced to the country by solicitor and zoologist Killian McLaughlin.

The bears are now settled in Wild Ireland, a wildlife sanctuary in Donegal.  They are joined by a beautiful lynx named Naoise along with deer, wild boar and wolves.

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According to Killian, who is known for his work rescuing and rehabilitating animals from dangerous places, Donegal’s newest residents had a “dreadful start to life”.

Step one in the rehabilitation process was helping them escape their concrete cages. Step two is giving them the dignity of a name. Something they never had the luxury of before.

And that’s where you come in.

Currently just known as Female 1, Female 2 and Male – the folk at Wild Ireland want suggestions of traditional Irish names along with a reason as to why your option should be chosen.

This reminds me of an episode of Friends. You know the one where Phoebe thinks Rachel’s new baby is actually named Baby Girl Green? Because that’s all they’ve been calling her? What an applicable show.

Time to get the big book of baby names out for inspiration.

 

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