In the troubled past of NI we had the company of Muppet and Wugga ( Wessex and Chinook ). The former because of its head-on likeness to the character Beaker and the latter due to its approach noise, heard for miles ahead.
Gazelles were usually just 'Gaz' but occasionally 'Drumstick' ( why?! ).
I don't remember any nicknames for Lynx or Puma, presumably those were short enough not to merit contraction.