Calgary Zoo, Wilder Institute announce name of baby gorilla
Posted Jul 12, 2023 7:22 am.
Last Updated Jul 12, 2023 7:59 am.
The newest addition to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s Western Lowland Gorilla herd finally has a name.
The zoo announced Tuesday that the baby boy will be called Okabe (pronounced oh-KAH-beh), derived from the Boyki language which means “to think.”
We are excited to announce that our #WICZGorillaBaby has been named ‘Okabe’!
The name ‘Okabe’ (pronounced oh-KAH-beh) is derived from the Boyki language and means ‘to think’.
Your generous support raised $7,855 and will help us to care for our gorilla troop.#YourZooYYC pic.twitter.com/Po9biYtb2X
— Calgary Zoo (@calgaryzoo) July 11, 2023
“It is derived from the Boyki language, which has a number of regional dialects and is an important Bendi language spoken by the Boyki people of the northern Cross River State, Nigeria,” read a social media post marking the announcement.
The Calgary Zoo partnered with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) — which it says is also working to help save and protect the Cross River gorilla — in a contest to name the newborn.
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It adds that the goal for the chosen name was to pay homage to the species, the people, and the culture where western gorillas are found.
The contest raised $7,855, according to the zoo, which it said will help to provide “exceptional care” to the gorilla troop and fund “critical” conservation efforts for the critically endangered species.
Mom Yewande, 15, gave birth to the baby back in May.
Okabe joins his mother, dad Jasiri, half-sister Eyare, and the rest of the troop residing in the African Rainforest building.
