Suggest new names for the Singapore Zoo's koalas as part of a Wildlife Reserves Singapore campaign.

Details on how to submit names will be released on Monday on www.zoo.com.sg/koala-mania

The four marsupials are here on a six-month loan to Singapore from Australia, to mark diplomatic relations between the two nations, as well as Singapore's jubilee celebrations. They arrived in April.

Chan is the most active and "vocal" of the group. Idalia, the smallest and youngest, has large fluffy ears. Pellita tends to crave attention from caretakers and expects to be fed first. Paddle is the oldest and gentlest of the four.

The Singapore Zoo will shortlist names based on the submissions.

It decided to roll out the campaign in order to give the koalas nicknames that sound more local.

The names will be picked from the shortlisted entries during a ceremony next month.

Cheryl Faith Wee