Mehlmeisel in Bavaria: Wild boar in the wildlife park should no longer be called "Putin".

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Wild boar that needs a new name now

Photo: Nicolas Armer / dpa

He weighs 200 kilos, comes from Russia - and needs a new name: the operator of a Bavarian wildlife park wants to rename a wild boar called "Putin".

"Meanwhile it has turned out that no sow deserves such a name," says Eckehard Mickisch, head of the Waldhaus Mehlmeisel in Upper Franconia.

He got the animal almost four years ago as a freshman.

Since it was a Russian wild boar, he came up with "Putin."

A few days after the attack on Ukraine, however, he decided not to use the name anymore.

»Suddenly the name ›Putin‹ is mentioned«

Ukrainian refugees would have free entry to the park.

Mickisch apparently feared unpleasant moments: "Children come with their mothers, laugh and are happy - and suddenly the name 'Putin' comes up," he said.

»The name has to go out of respect for these people.«

The new name will be determined in an online vote.

There are five options to choose from, including "Mir," which means "peace" in Ukrainian and Russian.

jpz/dpa