On Jan. 8, the day musical icon David Bowie turned 69 years old, the Cincinnati Zoo welcomed a new baby penguin.
The baby bird, small enough to fit in one hand, remained nameless as the zoo took suggestions from fans and social media users.
Ultimately, zoo workers agreed to name the penguin Bowie.
“It’s such a fitting name,” Cincinnati Zoo communications coordinator Angela Hatke told CBS.
Shortly after hatching, Bowie proved his name was well-fitting. Workers said he started squeaking and chirping, sometimes along with some of the British singer-songwriter's greatest hits.
"Before anything happened, (zookeepers) were playing David Bowie music — they're huge fans — in the nursery where the penguin was set up," Hatke said.
The death of David Bowie added meaning to the penguin chick's name.
“Now there’s a cute little penguin that has his namesake, bringing some good news to it,” Hatke said.
"What a wonderful way to pay tribute to David Bowie," one woman posted on Facebook.
“Maybe David Bowie’s soul rests in the baby penguin,” one man wrote.
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