VTB announces the results of the leopard naming contest

      Photos provided by the press service of the Land of the Leopard National Park

      VTB held a contest to find the most original name for a Far Eastern leopard cub. The girl, who is just over 1.5 years old, was named Sierra. Participants in the contest on social media suggested over 2,000 name options, five of which made it to the voting shortlist, and their authors received prizes from VTB and the Land of the Leopard National Park (Vladivostok). Over 15,000 people participated in the final vote.

      The name Sierra reflects the character of the young leopard and is associated with nature and strength. One of the meanings of the name refers to mountain ranges—the habitat of red-listed cats. Voters could choose from five options: Fairy Tale, Strawberry, Severina, Prímora, and Sierra. The authors of the most original names selected for voting were residents of Saint Petersburg, Lipets, and Vladivostok. The contest leader is from Rostov-on-Don. The results were announced on VTB’s social media.

      "Each leopard has its own character, habits, and unique traits. Sierra is active, confident, and determined. The name suits her very well, as it was created and chosen across the country. We see the attention and concern of people for the fate of the Far Eastern leopard. Participants shared interesting observations and associations that inspired their name choices. In our view, such projects help foster a sense of involvement, encourage conservation activities, and make the word 'ecology' more tangible and understandable, motivating people to take real action," comments Petr Shpilenok, Adviser to the President—Chairman of the VTB Board, Director of the Nature Protectors Foundation.

      Within the framework of the "Leopard Keepers" program, VTB symbolically cares for a family of big cats: the mother and her three kittens. Previously, the social media audience chose names for the head of the feline clan and her son—a Gerd and a Phoenix. The third kitten will be named once its gender is known.

      "Now that Gerd’s second kitten has been named, it can be said that the whole country has met him. The name Sierra perfectly characterizes the Far Eastern leopard as an alpinist enthusiast. These cats spend a lot of time on peaks and slopes of the permafrost hills. The cold winters and impassable taiga suit them. However, over the past 100 years, their habitat has shrunk by more than 70 times. The only place in the world where the necessary conditions for the leopard have been preserved is in Primorsky Krai. Our common goal is to protect this unique territory and its inhabitants. Together with VTB, we continue to monitor the fate of Gerd’s family, Phoenix's, and Sierra’s," added Viktor Bardyuk, Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Land of the Leopard."