Kitchener-Waterloo

Voting opens to name Otis the swan's new mate

The City of Kitchener has looked at all names suggested by the public for Otis the swan's new mate in Victoria Park. The top five are now up for public vote.

Should it be Ophelia? Odette? Olivia? Victoria? Olive?

Otis and his new, yet to be named, mate circle the waters in Victoria Park in April. (Jackie Sharkey/CBC)

The City of Kitchener received more than 1,800 suggestions for what to name Otis the swan's new mate in Victoria Park.

The top five are now up for public vote until the end of April. 

"Otis's bachelor days have ended — he has returned to Victoria Park with a new companion," wrote city staff on its EngageWR site. "They're taking their relationship slow and so far, so good. Only problem is, she doesn't have a name!"

The top five choices are: Ophelia, Odette, Olivia, Victoria and Olive. People can rank the names in order of preference until April 26. The winning choice will be revealed on April 29. 

Swans typically mate for life and Otis has been single since 2012 when his previous mate died. Other matchmaking attempts failed. 

Otis met his new mate in Stratford; he spends his winters in the same facility as the swans from the Avon River.