Philadelphia Zoo Welcomes Baby Gorilla, Launches Naming Contest

What should the Philadelphia Zoo name its newest resident?

The Zoo welcomed a baby gorilla to their family on Wednesday. Honi, a 21-year-old western lowland female gorilla, and Motuba, a 31-year-old silverback male, are the parents of the new baby.

It's the second birth Honi, and the first birth for Honi and Motuba together, the Zoo announced.

Both Honi and the baby appear to healthy, according to the Zoo, and they are being closely monitored.

“We are very excited to welcome Honi’s new baby,” Dr. Andy Baker, the Philadelphia Zoo’s Chief Operating Officer, said in a press release. “The Zoo works with the Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose goal is to manage populations of threatened, endangered and other species across AZA zoos, to maintain long-term genetic and demographic viability. This birth is an opportunity to engage our visitors in caring about the future of gorillas in the wild.”

Western lowland gorillas are listed as Critically Endangered in the wild, according to the the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Zoo now has a total of six western lowland gorillas, including the baby.

The Zoo is hosting a prize drawing in association with the naming of the baby. Once a vote is cast, that person's information is entered in a lottery for a chance to win a family membership, a behind the scenes tour, a Zoo Balloon ride for 4, plus a food voucher and gift shop certificate.

Details on the contest are forthcoming.

Image courtesy Philadelphia Zoo.