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Summary of Description:
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) allows the public to vote on a name for a western baby lowland gorilla born on May 27. This species is critically endangered, making every birth a cause for celebration. Voters can choose between three name options chosen by primate keepers: Lola, Mkali, and Zahra. The winning name will be announced on June 9.
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Help Name the Newborn Gorilla at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) invites everyone to vote for the name of a western baby lowland gorilla born on May 27. With every western lowland gorilla birth considered a cause for celebration, the arrival of this female gorilla is an important event as the species is critically endangered, according to the International Union of Conservation of Nature.
Possible Names for the Baby Gorilla
Primate keepers have selected three potential name choices for the baby gorilla. Voters may select their favorite name from June 5 to June 9 on the Zoo’s website. The winning name will be announced on June 9. Let’s take a closer look at the three possible names:
Lola [LOH-la]: Yoruba for “Greatness”
The name Lola signifies greatness and excellence in the Yoruba language. With her arrival in the world, this little gorilla has already made great strides, given the threats her species face. Voting to name her Lola would be an assurance that people care about her species and would rally behind their conservation efforts to ensure their survival.
Mkali [M-KAH-lee]: Swahili for “Fierce”
In Swahili culture, the name Mkali signifies fierce or aggressive. Naming this gorilla, Mkali would symbolize the strength, resilience, and tenacity of the western lowland gorillas, who have adapted to various environmental pressures and survived.
Zahra [ZAH-rah]: Swahili for “Beautiful Flower”
Zahra is a name that epitomizes beauty, and in Swahili, it means “beautiful flower.” Western lowland gorillas play a vital role in the health of rainforests, where they play an essential role in distributing seeds through their diet. As such, this name represents the beauty of nature and the integral role gorillas play in its survival.
How to Cast Your Vote
Voters are essentialNational Zoo’s website from June 5 to midday (ET) on June 9. Voters may choose to revisit the site to check for voting updates and rankings. Voting in the Zoo’s “Name the Baby Gorilla” contest is free and open to the public. Supporters are also encouraged to make donations to the National Zoo to support conservation efforts.
The Importance of the Western Lowland Gorilla’s Conservation
Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, and the birth of a new baby gorilla is a reminder of the need for conservation efforts to help protect this species. With habitat loss, poaching, and diseases like Ebola posing a significant threat to their survival, the Western lowland gorillas need all the help they can get.
Last year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) elevated western gorillas to “critically endangered status,” making them one of the world’s most endangered primates. Therefore, naming this newborn gorilla is a symbolic gesture of conservation effort to restore and protect this species.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the arrival of the newborn gorilla is a cause for celebration and a reminder of the need for consistent conservation efforts. Your vote for her name represents your concern and involvement in the conservation of endangered species such as this. Whether we choose Lola, Mkali, or Zahra, we honour this little baby gorilla’s birth and declare our commitment to saving the western lowland gorillas and other endangered species.
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Source Description
Today, honor Westland gorilla fans can vote on a name for a baby gorilla born May 27 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). Every western lowland gorilla birth is a cause for celebration as this species is considered critically endangered by the International Union of Conservation of Nature. This morning, primate keepers threw a party for the gorilla troop, and festive enrichment revealed that the newborn is female. Voters can select their favorite names today through noon Friday, June 9, on the Zoo’s website. The winning name will be announced June 9.
The primate keepers selected the three possible name choices. The name that receives the most votes will be bestowed on the baby. The choices are:
Lola [LOH-la]: Yoruba for “greatness on on s.”
Mkali [M-KAH-lee]: Swahili for “fierce”
Zahra [ZAH-rah]: Swahili for “beautiful flower.”
VOTE: nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/vote-name-baby-gorilla.
