Page 7 - IAV Digital Magazine #563

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Zoos Making Cockroaches A Valentine's Tradition
By Joe Fisher
Jan. 30 (UPI) -
- An obscure act of love, or petti- ness, is becoming a popular tradition at zoos for Valentine's Day.
Several zoos are offering the opportunity to
name a cock- roach as a Valentine's gift. Couples are nam- ing roaches after their significant others, or in some cases after their exes.
The Bronx Zoo in New York is offer- ing Valentine's
roach packages ranging from $15 to $75. "The Works" package includes a tum- bler, tote, a certifi- cate commemo- rating the roach that is named and a virtual visit with the roach -- a hissing cockroach -- and a "surprise
animal guest."
"You don't always have the right words, but you can still give them goosebumps. Name a Roach for your Valentine, because roaches are forever," the Bronx Zoo said on its website.
At the San Antonio Zoo, scorned exes can name a cock- roach after their former partners and watch it be eaten as part of its "Cry me a Cockroach Fundraiser." They may also donate to name a rodent or a vegetable destined for the same fate. The ex will receive a vir- tual Valentine's Day card inform- ing them that a cockroach was named in their honor, and eaten.
According to the San Antonio Zoo, the most popular names during last year's fundraiser were Jacob and Sarah.
The El Paso Zoo, Houston Museum of Natural Science and Florida Aquarium
are among the many other organizations to offer similar pro- grams.
Business Waste, a commercial waste manage- ment company in the United Kingdom, will name a trash bin after a "rubbish" ex for no charge. Names are col- lected with the submission of a free form and after Valentine's Day the company will draw a name at random.
The Toronto
Zoo has a name- a-roach program, aswellasa kinder alternative. Couples can adopt an African penguin couple. They will receive a personalized certificate of adoption, artwork and a plush toy.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine