Bucky and Sparty the Wolverines
Only in Michigan would this be "news". I find it pretty damn funny.
U-M Grads Feeling Blue Over Zoo Wolverines' Names
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Detroit Zoo has been badgered for the naming of a pair of wolverines. The complaints came from University of Michigan alums who were apparently upset that the wolverines were named Sparty and Bucky, which are the names of the mascots of two of U of M's biggest sports rivals, Michigan State and Ohio State.
And it turned out that the pair was given their namesake by a zoologist who happened to be a graduate of MSU.
Officials said several enraged U of M alumni e-mailed and called to express their dismay and in some cases threatened to cancel their zoo memberships, Local 4 reported.
The zoo eventually caved in to the onslaught of blue and renamed the wolverines Tamarack and Talia, which are types of trees in Michigan.
Zoogoers with no school ties, like Kelly Shiel, thought that it was silly for the animals to get caught in the middle of a Big Ten rivalry.
"I find it funny that they would want to name them that, but I wouldn't cancel my membership over that," said Shiel.
Zoo management said the name episode dampened enthusiasm over the fact the babies were the only wolverines born in captivity in North America this year.
The zoo has not received any complaints that Talia and Tamarac's mother is named Aggie, which is the mascot for Texas A&M University.
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