Cincinnati Zoo honors Betty White, names penguin 'Rose' on the late actress' birthday
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CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is paying tribute to Betty White on what would have been the late actress' 100th birthday.
The zoo is naming its month-old little blue penguin "Rose" after White's character on the NBC sitcom "Golden Girls," according to a news release.
White died in her sleep from natural causes at the age of 99 on Dec. 31. She would have turned 100 on Monday.
White was a big advocate for animal welfare, speaking for animal rights and partnering with multiple organizations in helping animals get adopted or fighting for humane rights. Fans of White created the #BettyWhiteChallenge, which asks people to donate to any local or national animal shelter, rescue or agency in White's name.
“Betty White was a huge Zoo supporter and animal lover,” Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard said in a release. “I had the pleasure of making her acquaintance years ago when she attended a Cincinnati Zoo fundraiser. We introduced her to our first ambassador cheetah, Angel.”
Zoo officials say Rose is healthy and is soon expected to move to the little blue penguin habitat where she will join a colony of over 30 penguins.
Contributing: Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Zoo honors Betty White, names penguin 'Rose'
