A zoo named their baby penguin after David Bowie, just before the singer died

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden asked for suggestions for names on their Facebook page

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens named its first “zoo baby of 2016” on 8 January after cultural icon, David Bowie.

The zoo had asked for suggestions on their Facebook page - the most popular being two generation-defining musicians: Elvis Presley and David Bowie.

So, not much for this baby penguin to live up to, then.

Baby penguin named after David Bowie on his birthday – two days before passing away

It was eventually named after the Brixton-born musician as the zoo already had a penguin named after The King.

Two days after hatching, its namesake passed away aged 69 following a “courageous” 18-month battle with cancer.

The zoo handlers posted their condolences online.

 

Meet Bowie, the first Cincinnati Zoo baby of 2016! This little blue penguin chick hatched on January 8th and received the name "Bowie" for the music icon that it shares a birthday with. The penguin chick's name has since taken on added meaning. Keepers even played David Bowie music for the chick - who's gender won't be confirmed for several weeks. #Bowie #davidbowie #littlebluepenguin #penguin #penguinchick #closeenoughtocare

A photo posted by Cincinnati Zoo (@cincinnatizoo) on Jan 11, 2016 at 10:51am PST

In an Instagram post, the caption read: “The penguin chick's name has since taken on added meaning. Keepers even played David Bowie music for the chick - who's gender won't be confirmed for several weeks.”