Public picks name for baby killer whale

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(courtesy of SeaWorld)
(courtesy of SeaWorld)

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A baby killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando was named Makaio -- Hawaiian for "gift of God" -- in a public vote, SeaWorld officials said.

The name received about 55 percent support in a Facebook vote conducted by SeaWorld, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel reported Tuesday.

Makaio topped two other names -- Nico, from the Greek Nikos meaning "victory of the people," and Haruki, Japanese for "shining brightly."

SeaWorld Orlando has seven of the 42 killer whales in captivity, including Makaio, born in October 2010.

SeaWorld also has six killer whales at its Texas park and seven in California.

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