Help Name Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s First Baby Gorilla

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and CrossCountry Mortgage are inviting the public to help name the first gorilla born at the zoo in its 139-year history. The naming opportunity will not only 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.

“Gorillas are an incredible species, and the birth of the first gorilla in here Cleveland has been another reminder of why we need to protect them from extinction,” says 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.”

Participants can cast votes by making a financial contribution for any of three names online at FutureForWildlife.org/gorillanaming or by voting in person at the gorilla habitat at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The three finalist names are:

• Bakari, “One who will succeed”
• Jabari, “Fearless or brave one”
• Kayembe, “Extraordinary”

The gorilla’s birth on October 26 was estimated to be a month premature, and his mother, Nneka, did not immediately show the appropriate maternal care that newborn gorillas require. 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.

An exclusive video series created in partnership with CrossCountry Mortgage continues to follow the baby’s growth and development.

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.