Name a cockroach after your ex-partner by February 14th
- Status
- Active
- Published
- 2026-02-01
On the eve of Valentine's Day, American zoos have resumed a popular campaign, offering an alternative to traditional candies and flowers. For a small donation, anyone can name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after their ex-partner. The most famous project, Name-A-Roach, at New York's Bronx Zoo, has been running for the 15th consecutive year. Since 2011, approximately 60,000 cockroaches have been named as part of the campaign, and the total amount of funds raised is approaching $1 million. The donation amount can range from $5 to $70, depending on the zoo and the chosen options. Participants receive a digital certificate, plush toys, beanies, or even a virtual meet-and-greet with a cockroach. All money goes towards animal care, educational programs, and global species conservation projects. Other zoos have also joined the campaign: San Antonio Zoo (Texas), Birmingham Zoo (Alabama), Brookfield Zoo (Chicago), and more than a dozen other zoos nationwide.