Japanese zoo backtracks on naming baby monkey 'Charlotte' after royal birth

A zoo in southwestern Japan was forced to backpedal on its decision to name a baby Japanese monkey “Charlotte” in honour of the newborn British princess after protests that the move was disrespectful to the royal family.

The Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden, popular among visitors as a feeding ground for wild macaques inhabiting the surrounding area, launches a public poll for naming the first macaque born each year.

The name had been inspired by Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, the newborn second child of Britain’s Prince William and his wife Catherine. She is the younger sister to Prince George, who is in line to inherit the British throne.

It was the top choice with 59 of 853 total votes. Also in the running were Kei, after Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori, and Elsa, a character in the Disney film Frozen.

”The name was publicly solicited and Charlotte suddenly became the most popular choice – with 59 votes out of the total 853 – after the British baby princess’s name was announced,” a zoo official said. “There was no vote for ‘Charlotte’ before the Monday night announcement.”

The zoo announced the naming after a zookeeper spotted this year’s firstborn, a healthy baby girl, clinging to her mother yesterday.