CINCINNATI — As a tribute to the late Betty White on what would have been her 100th birthday, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden announced it will name its month-old little blue penguin “Rose.” 

What You Need To Know

  • The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens named a little blue penguin in honor of Betty White

  • The month-old little blue penguin was named Rose after White’s Golden Girls character

  • The honor was announced Jan. 17 in honor of what would have been White’s 100th birthday

Rose was the name of the character White played on the wildly-popular Golden Girls sitcom from 1985-92.

“Betty White was a huge zoo supporter and animal lover,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. “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.”

Zookeepers often get creative with animal names. All of the Zoo’s king penguins are named after famous kings — Martin Luther, Bibi, Burger, Larry, Stacey and Stephen.

According to bird team head keeper Cody Sowers, Rose is healthy and on track to move to the little blue penguin habitat soon. She will join the colony of 30+ penguins, and visitors will get to see her when the weather gets warmer.

Penguin Days, presented by U.S. Bank, continues through March 11. Discounted admission and Penguin Parades, featuring the king penguins are Friday through Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and also holiday Mondays through the end of February.