The Toronto Zoo has announced the name of its three-month-old polar bear cub ahead of her public debut on Saturday. Her name is Juno.
The zoo said the cub was initially given the nickname in honour of Juno Beach in France, as the cub was born on Remembrance Day in 2015.
“Zoo staff have made this name official as it embodies Canadian pride and is representative of polar bears, one of Canada’s national treasures,” the zoo said in a statement.
The Canadian Army also adopted Juno as its “live” mascot and promoted her to rank of Private.
Juno will be “promoted” every year on her birthday, the army said.
"I believe that Pte. Juno will have a long and successful career with us,” Brig.-Gen. David Patterson, Deputy Commander, 4th Canadian Division, said in a zoo statement. “Like all good soldiers, I’m sure she will work hard and advance in rank over the years.
“Eventually, she could be known as Sgt. Juno or Cpt. Juno Perhaps, one day, even as Gen. Juno.”
On Thursday morning, media received a sneak preview of the three-month-old female polar bear cub in her maternity area and outside den.
In early February, Juno marked a milestone when she was introduced to snow for the first time.
Her public debut on Saturday will coincide with International Polar Bear Day.
You can meet our polar bear cub starting this Saturday February 27 for ❄️
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo)
We are proud to adopt Juno the polar bear cub as the official “live” mascot of the Canadian Army.
— Canadian Army (@CanadianArmy)