The Greenville Zoo has something adorable to celebrate: two new ocelot kitten sisters have joined the family, and the zoo has officially revealed their names — a sweet tribute to the Palmetto State they now call home.

The naming announcement, shared by FOX Carolina News on August 7, delighted animal lovers across the Upstate. Ocelots are strikingly beautiful wild cats native to Central and South America, and the arrival of two sisters at once makes the milestone even more special for the zoo and the community it serves.

The Greenville Zoo has long been a beloved fixture of city life, offering residents and visitors up-close encounters with wildlife from around the world. Moments like this — when new animals arrive and are formally welcomed with names that reflect local pride — remind the community just how much the zoo means to Greenville’s identity and spirit.

In other exciting news for the city, Greenville’s historic Bowater Building is set to become South Carolina’s first-ever JW Marriott hotel, according to reports from the Greenville Journal and FOX Carolina News. The luxury property, planned for the downtown conference district near Falls Park, represents a major milestone for Greenville’s growing reputation as a destination city. The conversion of the iconic Bowater Building into a JW Marriott — one of the most recognized upscale hotel brands in the world — signals strong confidence in downtown Greenville’s continued vitality and appeal.

Together, these two developments paint a picture of a city that is thriving — nurturing its community gems like the zoo while also attracting world-class investment to its vibrant downtown core. Whether you’re planning a family outing to meet the new ocelot sisters or looking forward to the day guests check into Greenville’s first JW Marriott, there is plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.

Sources: FOX Carolina News, Greenville Journal