UPI – An obscure act of love, or pettiness, is becoming a popular tradition at zoos for Valentine’s Day.
Several zoos are offering the opportunity to name a cockroach as a Valentine’s gift. Couples are naming roaches after their significant others, or in some cases after their exes.
The Bronx Zoo in New York is offering Valentine’s roach packages ranging from USD15 to USD75. ‘The Works’ package includes a tumbler, tote, a certificate commemorating the roach that is named and a virtual visit with the roach – a hissing cockroach – and a “surprise animal guest”.
“You don’t always have the right words, but you can still give them goosebumps. Name a Roach for your Valentine, because roaches are forever,” the Bronx Zoo said on its website.
At the San Antonio Zoo, scorned exes can name a cockroach after their former partners and watch it be eaten as part of its ‘Cry me a Cockroach Fundraiser’. They may also donate to name a rodent or a vegetable destined for the same fate. The ex will receive a virtual Valentine’s Day card informing them that a cockroach was named in their honour, and eaten.
According to the San Antonio Zoo, the most popular names during last year’s fundraiser were Jacob and Sarah.
The El Paso Zoo, Houston Museum of Natural Science and Florida Aquarium are among the many other organisations to offer similar programmes.
Business Waste, a commercial waste management company in the United Kingdom, will name a trash bin after a “rubbish” ex for no charge. Names are collected with the submission of a free form and after Valentine’s Day the company will draw a name at random.
The Toronto Zoo has a name-a-roach programme, as well as a kinder alternative. Couples can adopt an African penguin couple. They will receive a personalised certificate of adoption, artwork and a plush toy.
