It’s always exciting when there’s a new baby animal at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. And last October 26, the first baby gorilla was born there in the zoo’s 139-year history.
The little one had some setbacks. Its mother didn’t show appropriate nurturing instincts but luckily it was “adopted” by an older female gorilla at the zoo.
Then the baby developed pneumonia late in the year and was cared for by veterinarians and animal care experts until he was well enough to rejoin the gorilla population where visitors can see him between 11am-3pm every day.
But now he needs a more personal name than “Baby G,” so once again the zoo is having a naming contest. It’s chosen three names, and for a small donation, which goes to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund for gorilla conservation, you can vote on your favorite at FutureForWildlife.org/gorillanaming.
The names include Bakari (“One who will succeed”), Jabari (“fearless or brave one”) and Kayembe (“extraordinary”). All come from languages spoken in regions of Africa where remaining gorilla populations live. The winner will be the one which has the most votes as of February 11 @ 5pm. It will be announced on February 17 on the zoo’s social media.
Learn more about the baby gorilla here.