Image: Ranuan Seudun Matkailu Oy

The Ranua Wildlife Park has announced that a polar bear cub born last November will be called 'Sisu', a Finnish word meaning a combination of persistence, determination and composure.

The name was suggested by 94 of 18,000 entries in the zoo's naming competition, and judges decided it was the most appropriate way to celebrate the centenary of Finland and the municipality of Ranua.

Rejected suggestions included Lumea, Sulo, Ranua, Rane, Finlandia, Satku and Huntti. Some politics enthusiasts suggested Sauli, Mauno and Urho Kaleva, the first names of recent and current Finnish presidents.

Zookeepers decided however that Sisu reflected the cub's nature, which is unyielding and sprightly. All those who suggested the cub be named 'Sisu' will receive a free ticket to visit the zoo, and one lucky winner will receive a weekend at the park's holiday village.

Sisu was born last November, and will spend the first two years of his life in Finnish Lapland before being transferred to another wildlife park somewhere in Europe.

In 2011 the first polar bear cub to be born at Ranua was named Ranzo. He was transferred to Vienna Zoo, where he still lives. The father of both Ranzo and Sisu was Manasse, who died one week ago at Ranua. Mother bear Venus remains at Ranua.