How the Birmingham Zoo turned a roach into Valentine’s Day fun

Remember the viral Valentine’s Day social post by the Birmingham Zoo?

It went global. Over 1.1 million views.

Did you get a chance to name a Birmingham Zoo cockroach after an ex for Valentine’s Day? 

According to the Zoo, over 330 people from 35 states and 8 countries honored their old flames by paying $20 to “Name a Roach” — a Madagascar hissing cockroach to be exact — after them.

“We have had everything from dads naming their daughter’s boyfriends to women naming their cheating husbands to husbands naming their cheating wives to people naming bullies for their kids. We received way more (names) than just cheating exes.

Becky Duenow, Birmingham Zoo, Zoological Manager of Ambassador Animals

A more traditional gift available

Want to make a traditional Valentine’s Day gift? 

The good folks at the Zoo told us, for $50 on Valentine’s Day, at the Birmingham Zoo’s gift shop, you can join their adoption program and receive:

• Lush animal
• Adoption certificate
• Fact sheet 
• Animal photo

Enhanced “adoption” packages that include chats with zoo keepers and special events are also available.

What did you think of the Birmingham Zoo’s “Name a Roach” campaign? Tell us on social media at @bhamnow