April 18, 2007 - Excitement surrounding the naming of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s new lowland gorilla baby born in January is in the air at Primate World. This Saturday morning, April 20, the Zoo will announce the winning baby name from five finalists that have been voted on by the general public. The announcement will be made at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning in front of the gorilla exhibit at Primate World. The announcement will be the culmination of the “Vote for the Gorilla Baby Contest” that has been a great success with over 2,500 name votes counted.

Photo and interview opportunity:
Saturday, April 21, 2007
10:30 a.m.
Primate World Building (Gorilla exhibit)
Please meet at the front gate no later than 10:15 a.m.
(We ask that media be in place in Primate World by 10:25 p.m.)

Once the top vote getting name is announced, Zoo officials will pull one ballot from all of the hard copy and on-line ballots entered. The person whose name is signed on that selected ballot will win the “Vote for the Baby Gorilla Name Contest.” The winner will receive a special behind-the-scenes Zoo experience (to be scheduled for a future date with the Zoo) and a one-year family membership to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Winner need not be present to win.

Final Five Name Choices for Baby Gorilla

NDIMI (nuh-DEE-mee) – Swahili for “I’m the one.”

LUMANA (loo-MAW-naw) – Hausa (Nigeria) for “Peace.”

IMARA (eh-MARA) – Swahili for “Strength.”

ADISA (ah-DEE-sah) – Ashanti (Ghana) for “One who will teach.”

TUMANI (too-MAW-nee) – Swahili for “Hope.”

This gorilla birth came nearly one year after the birth of Umande, the male gorilla born at CMZ on Feb. 18, 2006. Umande was hand-reared by Zoo staff and volunteers after his mother, Kwisha, did not care for him after birth. Umande was sent to the Columbus Zoo in October to be paired with a surrogate mother, Lulu, who is now his constant companion and caregiver.

Open 365 days a year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is America’s only mountain zoo and is home to more than 750 animals representing approximately 143 species, 35 of which are endangered.
 

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