For $5, you can help name National Aviary’s skunk sisters. How to vote

For $5, you can help name National Aviary’s skunk sisters. How to vote

Finch Walker

USA TODAY NETWORK
Sept. 17, 2026, 1:46 p.m. ET
  • The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is holding a public vote to name two new skunk sisters.
  • Finalist name pairs include Feta and Ricotta, Petunia and Daisy, and Poppy and Pepper.
  • Voting is open online until October 5 and requires a minimum $5 donation.

Pittsburgh’s two new skunk sisters are one step closer to getting their names, thanks to the internet.

The striped skunk sisters, born on April 20 at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden to animal ambassador Lily, arrived at the National Aviary over the summer. Neither has a name. But with more than 18,000 suggestions from people around the country, they’re set to get their monickers by early next month.

Here’s how to cast your vote on what they’ll be called.

 

How do I vote to name the National Aviary’s new skunks?

The National Aviary has an online voting form. You can find it here.

Round 1, held earlier in the month, resulted in more than 18,000 name suggestions coming in from around the country. The aviary’s animal care team narrowed the suggestions down to three pairings based on the popularity of submissions. These are the pairings you can vote on in Round 2:

  • Feta and Ricotta
  • Petunia and Daisy
  • Poppy and Pepper

Be sure to vote by Oct. 5.

Does it cost money to vote on the National Aviary skunks’ names?

Yes, there’s a $5 minimum donation requirement. Donations must be made with a credit or debit card. Each donation gets you five votes, and you can donate and vote as many times as you want.

Donations are tax deductible and help the National Aviary save specifies and protect their habitats.

When will the National Aviary name its skunks?

The National Aviary is likely to announce the skunks’ names during the second week of October.

Can I see the National Aviary’s skunks?

Yes, the skunks can be seen at the National Aviary. While they live in a behind-the-scenes area at the National Aviary, guests can see them in the Forest Friends: Expert Talk, which is included with general admission.

For an additional fee, the sisters can also be seen during the Skunk Painting Encounter, which brings each guest up close and gives them the chance to feed one of the skunks treats as she paints a black-and-white canvas for them to take home.

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