CINCINNATI – Legendary rock star David Bowie has died, but his name lives on at the Cincinnati Zoo in the “person” of a blue or fairy penguin born at the Cincinnati Zoo on Bowie’s birthday.
“Bowie” had already earned a measure of “Fame” as the zoo’s first animal birth of 2016 when it was hatched at 6 a.m. Friday, weighing less than 2 ounces.
Friday was both David Bowie’s and Elvis Presley’s birthday, and the zoo says there was a lot of support for the Elvis name. But the zoo already has a king penguin named for “the King,” so “Bowie” was the choice for the new arrival.
Director Thane Maynard says the year’s first baby is fitting since the zoo celebrates “Penguin Days” in January and February.
Bowie turned 69 Jan. 8, and released a new album, “Blackstar,” but died Sunday after an 18-month battle with cancer.