14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this year, in August, seven Cuban crocodiles hatched at Hoyerswerda Zoo in Saxony, Germany. For some reason, keepers decided to name one of these crocs Fidel.
Keepers maintain they merely wanted to pick a name that reminded people of the croc's native land. Still, many were quick to argue that it was quite insensitive, seeing how, whenever they hear this name, most of us think about communist revolutionary Fidel Castro.
Funnily enough, the Cuban crocodile soon started acting in a fairly aggressive manner towards its brothers and some started referring to it as “Castro.”
A local cultural body did not take lightly to the situation, and asked the zoo to rename the reptile. Though not quite sure what the problem was, the zoo took action and started referring to the crocodile as Fidelio, The Local reports.
“The cultural body is one of our most import partners and ensures the survival of Hoyerswerda zoo. We therefore take its displeasure regarding the name very seriously, even if we cannot entirely understand it,” zoo Director Carmen Lötsch explains.
And now comes the really good part: keepers aren't even sure that the croc is a male, so it could happen that, in a few weeks, they'll once again change its name to “Fidelia.”
I sure hope they'll also hire a shrink to chat with the reptile for a while. I know I would be terribly confused about who I am and what my life is all about should someone start call me “Fidel” one day, “Fidelio” the next and then decide that “Fidelia” is the way to go.