LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An Arkansas zoo has named its adorable new penguin chick after late actress and animal lover Betty White.
>> PHOTOS: Betty White through the years
According to KARK, the Little Rock Zoo shared the news in a Facebook post Wednesday after patrons chose the name over two other options – Doris Day and Jane Fonda – in an online poll. White died Dec. 31, just 17 days shy of her 100th birthday.
“The VOTES are in and HER name is … BETTY WHITE,” the zoo captioned a photo of the chick, who hatched Nov. 5. “The Little Rock Zoo invites you to come meet Betty – and all her friends!”
Although the baby is the second for parents Bugsy and Gable, the new arrival is “the first chick that this pair is raising themselves,” the zoo said in November.
A headshot portrait of American actor Betty White wearing a veiled hat, circa 1955. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
BETTY WHITE — Pictured: Actress Betty White in 1954 — Photo by: Elmer Holloway/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
circa 1956: American actor Betty White sits in a canvas chair with her name written on the back, looking over her shoulder in a backyard garden. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
DATE WITH THE ANGELS – Portrait Shots – Aired on May 5, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
DATE WITH THE ANGELS – "Betty White Generic" – Airdate September 17, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
BETTY WHITE — Pictured: Actress Betty White — (Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
DATE WITH THE ANGELS – "Gallery- Betty White, Bill Williams" – Airdate June 1, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
DATE WITH THE ANGELS – Betty White & Bill Williams Sailing Date – Aired on September 6, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
(Original Caption) Betty White, television star is shown in this photograph.
DATE WITH THE ANGELS – Betty White & Bill Williams Sailing Date – Aired on September 6, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
DATE WITH THE ANGELS – "Misc. Color" – Airdate September 22, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
DATE WITH THE ANGELS – "Misc. Color" – Airdate September 22, 1957. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
75TH ANNUAL TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE — Pictured: Host Betty White — (Photo by: Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Publicity still of American actress Betty White, who plays Sue Ann Nivens on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ (also known as ‘Mary Tyler Moore’), 1975. She wears a burgandy velvet jacket over a pink turtleneck sweater, and poses with her chin in the palm of her left hand. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
BETTY WHITE — Pictured: Actress Betty White — Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
LOVE BOAT – "Two Grapes on the Vine/Aunt Sylvia/Deductible Divorce" which aired on October 17, 1981. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images) BETTY WHITE
Betty White (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
THE GOLDEN GIRLS — Season 1 — Pictured: Betty White as Rose Nylund — Photo by: Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank
THE GOLDEN GIRLS — Season 2 — Pictured: (l-r) Betty White as Rose Nylund– Photo by: Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank
THE GOLDEN GIRLS — Season 4 — Pictured: Betty White as Rose Nylund — Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank
THE GOLDEN GIRLS — "Before and After" Episode 15 — Pictured: Betty White as Rose Nylund (Photo by Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
THE 38TH ANNUAL PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS — Pictured: Betty White winner of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series NBC’s "The Golden Girls" held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, CA on September 21, 1986 (Photo by NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Betty White during 2003 Emmy Creative Arts Awards – Arrivals at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
Betty White during 2004 TV Land Awards airing March 17, 2004 – Red Carpet Arrivals at The Palladium in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Betty White and Molly during Old Navy Nationwide Search for New Canine Mascot – April 29, 2006 at Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by E. Charbonneau/WireImage for Ketchum Entertainment Marketing)
NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Actress Betty White visits fuse’s "No. 1 Countdown" at fuse Studios June 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 06: Actress and Co-Chairman of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Betty White hosts the media preview for the upcoming Beastly Ball fundraiser at the Los Angeles Zoo on June 6, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage)
Actress Betty White attends the media preview for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s Beastly Ball fundraiser at Los Angeles Zoo on June 11, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vincent Sandoval/WireImage)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 20: Actress Betty White attends The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association’s (GLAZA) 45th Annual Beastly Ball at the Los Angeles Zoo on June 20, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage)
TO TELL THE TRUTH – "Episode 102" – Comedian Iliza Shlesinger joins our celebrity panel to hilarious effect. In this episode we have one of the highest grossing Tupperware sales people who just happens to be a drag queen, shark attack survivors and somebody who jumps off buildings for a living. While on fire! "To Tell The Truth" Episode 102 Series Time-Period Premiere, Tuesday, June 14 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET). (Kelsey McNeal/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
BETTY WHITE
