And the donkeys name is...

14 August 2015

For immediate release

And the donkey’s name is …

“Hello my name is Forrest, Forrest Gump.”

After receiving more suggestions than ways to cook shrimp, the Botanic Gardens Zoo’s newest addition has been officially named after the iconic movie character.

More than 120 submissions were sent in to Wagga Wagga City Council as Jenny the donkey’s fairy tale turned into more of a Hollywood blockbuster.

A special sub-committee featuring the Mayor and Star FM’s Pip and Whitto met this week to sort through the suggestions before the panel settled on Forrest.

“Just like the movie, Forrest and Jenny go together like peas and carrots,” Director Environment and Community Services Janice Summerhayes said.

“We received suggestions from right across the Riverina, including some really creative names like Electric Batman, Kong and Dinosaur.

“In the end it came down to Dusty in honour of Slim and the donkey’s home town of Tamworth, and Forrest because of the movie’s main characters Forrest and Jenny.

“Forrest was the most common suggestion Council received and it won over the panel as well.

“I’m sure he will hear ‘run Forrest, run!’ called out by all the families and visitors over the coming years.”

Forrest has been settling in well at the zoo since he arrived from a hobby farm near Tamworth in July. All the media attention is new for Forrest, but Jenny is used to the spotlight after her quest for love captured the city’s attention last August.

“The amount of interest shown about these two miniature donkeys just proves what a great attraction the Botanic Gardens Zoo is families and visitors.

“Now her Prince Charming has been found and named a year later, let’s hope it’s happy ever after for Jenny and Forrest.”

Perfect match

Jenny

 Black and White

 Born in 2011

 The second last foal of the long-standing pair of donkeys who were the zoo’s previous inhabitants.

Forrest

 Grey roan with some chestnut on his ears

 Born 15 October, 2014

 From a hobby farm near Tamworth

-Ends-

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Contact Josh Lang 6926 9190/0437 385 892 or media@wagga.nsw.gov.au or follow us on Twitter - @WaggaCouncil