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NORTH ATTLEBORO - Spring is in full swing at the World War I Memorial Park Zoo with the arrival of three new baby animals - a lamb, a calf and a bunny.

And zoo officials are turning to the public for help in naming the trio, by asking visitors to place possible monikers in a suggestion box. The picks for the new names will be announced during an event at the zoo on May 24.

The new animals include a lamb, born to one of the Jacob sheep that were brought to the zoo in February. The black and white spotted male lamb - born about six weeks ago - already has two tiny horns atop his head.

Jacob sheep are unique because they are the only sheep that remain spotted their entire lives. The distinctive sheep also carry a gene that allows for multiple horns, and both ewes and rams can have up to six horns.

The calf was born about three weeks ago, but it is hard to tell due to his size as he is already taller than the average 6-year-old child. The brown and white spotted male hasn't quite grown into his ears yet. He is an Ayrshire calf, a breed of dairy cattle that hails from Scotland.

A mature Ayrshire cow can weigh up to 1,000 to 1,300 pounds so the baby has a lot of growing to do.

The baby rabbit, also a male, is 2 months old and of the Flemish Giant breed, which are known for their rather large size and weight and extremely long ears.

At maturity, a Flemish Giant rabbit can weigh up to 25 pounds and measure 22 inches in length - up to six times the size of a regular rabbit. They are often nicknamed "gentle giants" because of their laid-back personalities.

The zoo is asking a small donation - whatever people can afford- for participating in the animal naming contest.

"We'll take spare change or paper money - we're not fickle," said Steve Carvalho, director of the park and recreation department. "All of the money will go toward the care and maintenance of the animals."

Carvalho said he hopes additional visitors will drop by the zoo to participate in the contest, which will also provide residents with a chance to see other changes that have taken place there recently.

"The World War I Memorial Park Zoo here in North Attleboro has been undergoing a transformation," Carvalho said. "Thanks to a donation from the Nicholson family, we were able to put in an asphalt path around the zoo pens, so now families can stroll around a shady area while visiting the animals."

David and Pat Nicholson donated $5,000 to the zoo fund in memory of their son, Danny, who was struck and killed by a car while helping a disabled motorist in 1979. The aviary at the zoo is named after him.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.