Japanese zoo retains name Charlotte for newborn monkey

Tokyo, May 8 (IANS/EFE) The Japanese zoo that chose to name a newborn monkey Charlotte, after the newborn British princess, has decided to keep the name despite the controversy it has generated, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Friday.

Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden in Oita district received hundreds of phone calls and emails after it announced on Wednesday that it was naming the newborn macaque Charlotte in honour of the royal baby born to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge -- Prince William and Kate Middleton's second child.

On Thursday evening, the zoo apologised for what some said was an act of disrespect to the royal family, adding that it was still considering other names for the macaque.

After announcing its decision to consult the Oita government and the British embassy in Tokyo, the zoo decided on Friday to retain the original name.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter.

"The naming of an animal is entirely up to the individuals who own it," the palace's communications office told Kyodo on Thursday.

Takasakiyama Garden is a popular tourist destination, where visitors are allowed to feed the macaques, and annually vote to choose the name of the first born.

The royal baby's name topped the ballot this year, receiving 59 out of 853 votes.

The zoo announced the name after an employee confirmed the first birth of 2015 on Wednesday.

--IANS/EFE

ab/dg