Valentine’s Day isn’t universally adored; there are arguments to be made against commercialism, sugar, and an overvaluing of romantic love. But there is one aspect of the holiday we can all agree is a net positive for our culture: the flirty puns.
Even those among us who stubbornly hold out against the comedic value of puns may be swayed by the addition of interesting animals. This year for Valentine’s Day, zoos all around the globe shared their best romantic animal and zoo-themed puns with each other, using the hashtag #Vdaypunoff.
All of the punning started with Australian zoos and wildlife organizations. Taronga Zoo tweeted a twist on the classic “roses are red” rhyme and tagged several zoos, saying, “it’s Valentine’s Day and we challenge you! #VDayPunOff.” The tagged organizations joined in and tagged others, and the Valentine’s Day pun-off quickly spread across Australia.
Roos can be red, Peacocks shine blue, @aucklandzoo, @PerthZoo, @MelbourneZoo, @ZoosVictoria, @sandiegozoo, @WWF_Australia, @Featherdale, it’s Valentine’s Day and we challenge you! #VDayPunOff pic.twitter.com/LEgRKzASzw
— Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo) February 13, 2019
Bilby together forever! #VDayPunOff@ZoosVictoria @tarongazoo @WellingtonZoo @aucklandzoo @WWF_Australia pic.twitter.com/odFTx53jHh
— Perth Zoo (@PerthZoo) February 13, 2019
You’re single????? I’m shell shocked.#VDayPunOff @tarongazoo @aucklandzoo @PerthZoo @MelbourneZoo @sandiegozoo @WWF_Australia @WellingtonZoo pic.twitter.com/JmqZiWSx9I
— Zoos Victoria (@ZoosVictoria) February 14, 2019
If you clown around in relationships, expect bad breakups and many anemones #VDayPunOff #AdviceFromNemo pic.twitter.com/tyjc6f3uuu
— WWF_Australia (@WWF_Australia) February 14, 2019
The Valentine’s cheer has since spread across the world, with zoos from San Diego to Bali participating. One of the highlights is a video of three-week-old river otter pups from the National Zoo, accompanied with the Valentine’s Day pun “You *otter* be our #Valentine.”
May our love never tapir off. ❤️ #VDayPunOff pic.twitter.com/2erJl5qWyX
— San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (@sandiegozoo) February 14, 2019
💖 You *otter* be our #Valentine! Our 3-week-old North American river otter pups are growing fast. The pups, two boys and one girl, are bonding with mom Ashkii in a den behind the scenes. This spring, check them out at the American Trail exhibit! #VDayPunOff pic.twitter.com/cYViFX35hy
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) February 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/zoo_bali/status/1096020915526062083
Another highlight was the number of zoos who came together to riff on animal puns in various threads. The best started with the Perth Zoo tweeting “Will you Galapago on a date with me?”
It’s Valentine’s Day! Will you Galapago on a date with me? #VDayPunOff https://t.co/yJb0rFSJKE
— Perth Zoo (@PerthZoo) February 13, 2019
Photo by @AlexCearns @ZoosVictoria @tarongazoo @WellingtonZoo @aucklandzoo @WWF_Australia pic.twitter.com/pdZLnB9G9o
Auckland Zoo and Zoos Victoria joined in the game, “flirting” back with their own animals and puns.
To a place that will croc your world! #VDayPunOff pic.twitter.com/oIlX9tSKcY
— Zoos Victoria (@ZoosVictoria) February 13, 2019
Of course I mean it! I’d love you to the Baboon and back! #VDayPunOff pic.twitter.com/tavBWmV21h
— Perth Zoo (@PerthZoo) February 14, 2019
Not all of the animals are super cute, but some of their names lend themselves to ridiculous puns. Taronga Zoo so far has showed off the most unique animals and hilarious puns.
We’d get on Tinder or Bumble, but our Marmoset not to talk to strangers. #VDayPunOff@NationalZoo @WWF_Australia @PerthZoo @ZoosSA @ZoosVictoria @WellingtonZoo @aucklandzoo @sandiegozoo @ZooAquariumAssn @WWFNewZealand @Sydney_Aquarium @RBGSydney @MelbourneZoo pic.twitter.com/EP5AAKANz8
— Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo) February 14, 2019
Don’t let today go to waste, tell that special someone you’ve Bin Chicken them out all year. #VDayPunOff pic.twitter.com/PEiIZ350BQ
— Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo) February 13, 2019
Call the police! There’s been a Corroboree! You’ve stolen my heart… #VDayPunOff@NationalZoo @WWF_Australia @PerthZoo @ZoosSA @WellingtonZoo @aucklandzoo @ZooAquariumAssn @WWFNewZealand @Sydney_Aquarium @RBGSydney @MelbourneZoo pic.twitter.com/veLKX2Vtes
— Taronga Zoo (@tarongazoo) February 14, 2019
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be panda-monium, whether you’re in a relationship or not. It can be as simple as reading seal-y puns on the internet or sharing them with that special someone ewe love.
