The Detroit Zoo is turning to the public to help name its newest and notably adorable addition, a baby gorilla born on August 8 and revealed to be a girl — a first in the zoo’s 96-year history. A contest, as reported by FOX 2 Detroit, allows participants to vote on a name for the gorilla through a donation-based voting system that will run until September 9.
Zoo aficionados can contribute a $10 donation to cast a vote for their favorite among the five suggested names. The options range from Usala, a nod to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s conservation efforts, to Amateka, meaning "history" in Kinyarwanda language, reflecting the gorilla's historic birth. Other names include Mbere ("first"), Lobéké (after a national park in Cameroon), and Motema ("heart"). These choices each bear significant meaning pertaining to gorilla conservation and the baby’s significance to the Detroit Zoo. The zoo has decided to allow unlimited voting, provided that each vote is accompanied by the minimum donation, as found in a statement reported by WXYZ.
According to Detroit Free Press, the contest's proceeds are to directly benefit the SAFE gorilla (Saving Animals From Extinction) Program. This initiative focuses on several conservation strategies, including on-the-ground protection of gorillas, research and monitoring, and education, supporting efforts to thwart the extinction of the critically endangered western lowland gorillas.
"This has been an incredibly fun and exciting time for our entire animal care team," Mike Murray, vice president of life sciences for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS), told FOX 2 Detroit. He further shared how mother Bandia is exhibiting "remarkable" caregiving for her new offspring and expressed excitement for the baby gorilla to grow and thrive at the zoo.
The involvement of the community also aims to raise awareness and funds for ongoing conservation efforts that are more critical than ever for the future of western lowland gorillas. The DZS hopes that the gorilla will serve as an ambassador for her species, as expressed by communications manager Sarah Culton, also reported by Detroit Free Press.
