Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:43am on 07 Jun 2025,Saturday India
A language controversy has erupted in Mumbai over the naming of three penguin chicks born at the city’s Byculla Zoo. BJP leader Nitin Bankar demanded the chicks—named Noddy, Tom, and Pingu—be given Marathi names since they were "born on Maharashtra’s soil." The zoo had continued its tradition of English names, a practice since the first penguins arrived from South Korea in 2016. Despite repeated appeals, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation hasn't responded. The chicks were born in March to penguin pairs Popeye–Olive and Daisy–Donald. The zoo, now home to 21 Humboldt penguins, plans to expand its enclosure for future hatchlings. (PC: TOI)
