Why do the media (TV specifically) feel the need to rename species. A couple of weeks ago the BBC decided that African Hunting/Painted Dog should become Painted Wolf. Tonight Russian Brown Bear have become Grizzly Bear! Why?
the painted wolves thing was briefly discussed before, with at least a couple of members expressing familiarity with the name. as for the bear cubs, OMG HOW CUTE WERE THEY!!!!?
Well, and Lycaon essentially means wolf... So Lycaon pictus does pretty much mean painted wolf. I have heard painted wolf used for African Wild Dog on occasion.
It’s your old friend Political Correctness!!! Certainly when it comes to African hunting dogs I believe. The one that grates with me is the emphasis placed on the name Orca-I much prefer Killer whale. But maybe that offends their fellow cetaceans...
I think it might actually be your new friend political expediency (or practicality?). There are often good reasons for shifting to other names when the survival of the species in question is basically dependent on a government who doesn't much care either way but certainly doesn't like anything associated with the current name. I'm no big fan of nationalism, but when it comes to conservation it's often a case of sink or swim and if that means swimming with nationalists then it's a necessary evil.
So that more people will watch it... 'Grizzly' has more fierce/recognisable connotations than Russian/Kamchatka Brown bear and less of a mouthful too. Even if the programme focused on cubs. They will be aware of the crossover but it is done quite deliberately to increase the hype.
