JACKSONVILLE – Meet Banks. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ 12-week-old jaguar cub received his name Friday.

After a week-long submission period and a one-day public poll, Banks was chosen as the winning name for the cub born on April 7, 2023. The “Name That Jag” naming contest began on June 21, 2023 in partnership with the Jaguars Foundation and received nearly $11,500 in donations from 700 submissions.

Banks was one of four names chosen by Zoo staff and the cub’s care specialists for the 24-hour public poll on June 29 on the Zoo’s Instagram and Twitter. Banks, an homage to the St. Johns River and the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, received 2,185 votes, or 30% of the total votes. Zuco (ZOO-CO), a combination of the cub’s paternal grandparents’ names, Zassi and Tuco, came in second with 2,174 votes, or just over 29% of the total votes. Duwey, a play on Duval County and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rally cry “DUUUVAL!”, took third place with 2,164 votes, or 29% of the total votes. In fourth place was Tobai (TAH-BY), short for “Ah Tabai,” which is the Mayan god of the hunt and protector of animals, receiving 816 votes, or 11% of all votes cast.

“Banks has captivated our community’s attention since he was born, and the success of this contest is a testament to Jacksonville’s passion for jaguars, both on and off the field,” said Nikki Smith, Chief Philanthropy and Community Engagement Officer at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. “We are beyond grateful for the support and generosity the cub and Zoo have received throughout the naming process, and we look forward to introducing him to his fans later this summer.”

It costs more than $10,000 to provide annual medical exams and food for the jaguars at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, and to support Jacksonville’s newest jaguar, the Jaguars Foundation agreed to match up to $10,000 in donations through the naming contest, bringing the total funds raised to $21,494. The public can watch Babette and Banks on video at the Zoo’s Range of the Jaguar exhibit. Admission tickets can be purchased at jacksonvillezoo.org.