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National Zoo Asks Public To Help Name New Monkey

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The National Zoo is appealing to fans of their Facebook page for help in naming a new black howler monkey.

The zoo is hosting a poll in which can fans vote for one of four names. It says the names were chosen because they best reflect the new monkey's traits, personality and characteristics.

They are Sumaq, which means "beautiful" in the Quechua language; Orejas, which means "ears" in Spanish; Nando, which is short for Fernando and means "courageous"; and Loki, which is the Norse mythological god of mischief.

The voting ends on Friday, three months after the baby's birth.

The zoo plans to announce the winning name on Facebook that afternoon.

Howler monkeys are known for their loud, guttural howls, which can travel for three miles through dense forest.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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