Norbu Lingka Zoo in the Tibet Autonomous Region is collecting public opinion on giving a Tibetan name to the first Manchurian tiger in the region.  

"The aim of giving a Tibetan name is to make it easy to pronounce for local residents," said Wang Qiuzhen, director of the zoo.

The five-year-old Manchurian tiger was born in Zhoukou City of central China's Henan Province. The tiger, with a Han Nationality name of "Shuai Shuai," was shipped to Lhasa, capital of Tibet, in a cross-country vehicle on February 24, becoming the first Manchurian tiger living in an area with the highest elevation in the world.

A Tibetan girl, named Lhamu, suggested the tiger be named "Zhaxi Doje", which means healthy and lucky. A resident in Beijing gave "Shuai Shuai" a new name of "Zhaxi Norbu," meaning auspicious baby.

Norbu Lingka Zoo was built in 1751 at Norbu Lingka Park, an 18th century pleasure ground which was once the summer palace of the Dalai Lama.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2004)