Rotterdam Zoo’s newborn gorilla is a boy! His caretakers have come up with three beautiful names: Amadi (African for: happiness), Ajabu (African for: miracle) and Anayo (African for: thank god). The Netherlands Zoo has a tradition of choosing an African name beginning with the first letter of the mother’s name, in this case A for Aya. Can you help with this choice? Vote until March 24 at https://www.diergaardeblijdorp.nl/stem-op-naam-gorilla/
“Kayembe” (Kah-YEM-Bay), meaning “extraordinary,” is the name of the baby gorilla born October 26 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Zoo and Cleveland-based CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) today revealed the name following a three-week naming campaign in support of gorilla conservation through the Zoo’s longtime partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. “Kayembe” made history as the first gorilla born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in its 139 years.
The naming campaign received over 600 donations, raising nearly $15,000 for the Fossey Fund in Rwanda. Named after conservation pioneer Dian Fossey, the Fossey Fund has been saving gorillas for more than 50 years.
Tilla the Gorilla was born at Berlin Zoo the night of February 15, 2021. She is the first offspring for gorilla mom Bibi (24) and silverback Sango (17). The extended family has mastered the first year with flying colors. "Tilla has developed splendidly since her birth. Mother Bibi is caring for her offspring and Sango is also living up to his fatherly role," explains district manager Christian Aust. "Tilla is now becoming more and more independent and courageous, curiously exploring every corner of the enclosure and sometimes dangling upside down from a liana."
Tilla the Gorilla was born at Berlin Zoo the night of February 15, 2021. She is the first offspring for gorilla mom Bibi (24) and silverback Sango (17). The extended family has mastered the first year with flying colors. "Tilla has developed splendidly since her birth. Mother Bibi is caring for her offspring and Sango is also living up to his fatherly role," explains district manager Christian Aust. "Tilla is now becoming more and more independent and courageous, curiously exploring every corner of the enclosure and sometimes dangling upside down from a liana."
Hooray! Unexpectedly, a western-lowland gorilla was born at Rotterdam Zoo. The keepers discovered the baby early the morning of February 11. The mother is Aya and the father is Bokito. Mother and baby are doing well. For Aya this is the fourth youngster and for Bokito his tenth offspring. The gender is still unknown and also difficult to see. Aya holds the young close to her. The curious family came to look, as can be seen in this video, made by caretaker Victor. The young is very welcome but was not planned. The number of births for this critically endangered species is regulated by the European Breeding Program (EEP). You can already go on a maternity visit, but there is no guarantee that the young will always be clearly visible. Mother Aya has the opportunity to withdraw behind the scenes to care for her young in peace. Take your old cell phone with you as a maternity gift. This helps the gorillas in the wild. Read the entire message at:
There’s still time to name the Zoo’s baby gorilla! Tune in for an update to learn about what Cleveland Metroparks Zoo together with Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund are doing to secure a future for gorillas.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s gorilla team captured the adorable moment that Baby G propelled himself on his own! Watch as adoptive mother, Freddy, encourages his developmental movements while giving him space to explore on his own. Stay tuned for continued updates on this movin' and groovin' gorilla infant!
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and CrossCountry Mortgage are inviting the public to help choose a name for the first gorilla born at the zoo in its 139-year history. The naming opportunity not only will help the male gorilla, born October 26, settle into his home at the zoo but also supports conservation of the critically endangered species in the wild.
Participants can cast votes online by making a financial contribution for any of three names at FutureForWildlife.org/gorillanaming or by voting in person at the gorilla habitat at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Happy 1st birthday to Woodland Park Zoo’s littlest gorilla girl! She’s the one with the birthday, Saturday January 29, but YOU get the gift of this delightful little mashup featuring some of Zuna’s (and half-brother Kitoko’s) best moves!
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and CrossCountry Mortgage are inviting the public to help choose a name for the first gorilla born at the zoo in its 139-year history. The naming opportunity not only will help the male gorilla, born October 26, settle into his home at the zoo but also supports conservation of the critically endangered species in the wild.
Participants can cast votes online by making a financial contribution for any of three names at FutureForWildlife.org/gorillanaming or by voting in person at the gorilla habitat at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
The three name finalists include:
Bakari, “One who will succeed”
Jabari, “Fearless or brave one”
Kayembe, “Extraordinary”
“Gorillas are an incredible species and the birth of the first gorilla here in Cleveland has been another reminder of why we need to protect them from extinction,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. “Every vote to help name our gorilla will have a direct impact, protecting this iconic and critically endangered species in the wild.”
An exclusive video series created in partnership with CrossCountry Mortgage continues to follow the baby’s growth and development.
“Cleveland is this baby gorilla’s hometown, and what better way to deepen the public’s connection than helping us select his name,” said Laura Soave, Chief Brand Officer, CrossCountry Mortgage. “We look forward to engaging the public in this opportunity and others moving forward that continue to position Cleveland, its remarkable park system and the world-class zoo as must-see destinations for decades to come.”
The gorilla’s birth in late October was estimated to be a month premature and his mother, Nneka, did not immediately show appropriate maternal care that is required for newborn gorillas. However, the troop’s eldest female, Fredrika or “Freddy,” quickly picked him up and has been serving as his surrogate mother ever since. In November he developed pneumonia, requiring zoo experts to step in and provide hands-on 24/7 care but this month he was successfully reunited with Freddy and the troop following his recovery.
Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered by The World Conservation Union (IUCN). Each donation to help name the baby will help conserve gorillas in the wild through Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s longtime partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Dr. Kristen Lukas, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Director of Conservation & Science, serves as vice chair of the Fossey Fund board and also works abroad alongside the Fossey Fund to help train Rwandan scientists studying at Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Guests visiting Cleveland Metroparks Zoo can visit the baby and gorilla troop at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building daily between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Western-lowland Gorilla dad Mbundi was chilling in a hammock at Gladys Porter Zoo when, suddenly, his son Burchfield dropped in for cuddles, literally.
2-year-old Burchfield, born Cinco de Mayo 2019, is the first of 3 babies Mbundi has sired at the Brownsville, Texas Zoo.
Stoic and strong, the Silverback is also very gentle with the babies.
