Voting presented by Norton Children’s
Meet KAJI (kah-gee)!
The Louisville Zoo asked fans to participate in naming its male Sumatran tiger cub, and the people have spoken. Nearly 5,000 votes were cast during the four-week voting period, with Kaji emerging as the favorite. This name was selected from three options that reflected the importance of this cub to the species’ survival and honored his parents.
Full explanation of the chosen name is as follows:
Satu (sah-too): Means “one” in Indonesian. With less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, every cub is vital for the survival of this critically endangered species.
Saya Sambal (Sigh-ya-sah-m-ball): Honors his dad, Kami Sambal, who passed away on August 20, 2024. Kami’s name means “we are spicy sauce” in Indonesian, referring to the wild nature of tigers, which are not domesticated and are often trafficked for their body parts and for the illegal pet trade, leading to serious conservation issues. “Saya Sambal” means “I am spicy sauce.”
Kaji (kah-gee): A combination of both parents’ names, Kami and Jingga. Their legacy will live on through their cub, contributing to the conservation of Sumatran tigers for future generations.
Norton Children’s 8-year-old patient, Skylar Bischof-Thomas, revealed the winning name with Mayor Greenberg and Zoo officials at today’s event.
The Zoo welcomed Kaji into the family on the evening of July 23, 2024. He is the offspring of 16-year-old male Kami Sambal (cam-me-sahm-ball) and 14-year-old female Jingga (Jean-gah, like the game). Kaji is the first Sumatran tiger to be born at the Zoo in over 20 years.
Guests can see Kaji and Jingga in the Banjar House habitat at the Islands exhibit on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting. The Zoo encourages guests to check the most up to date viewing schedule at louisvillezoo.org/today.
About Sumatran Tigers
Sumatran Tigers, the last of the island tiger subspecies, are smaller than mainland tigers and are critically endangered. Fewer than 400 individuals are estimated to still survive in the wild. Found only on Sumatra, their habitat is primarily threatened by the development of palm oil plantations. Palm oil is found in hundreds of foods, cosmetics and cleaning products. As worldwide demand for palm oil accelerates, so does the loss of vital tropical forests, which are home to thousands of unique plant and animal species. Choosing palm-oil free products or those containing sustainably grown palm oil helps preserve and protect wildlife and wild places.