It’s a GIRL! Newest Baby at the Detroit Zoo Continues to Thrive Under Care of First-Time Mom, Bandia
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Aug. 26, 2024) - The Detroit Zoo announced today that the baby gorilla born on Aug. 8, 2024 - the first in the Zoo’s 96-year-history - is a female and continuing to thrive under the care of her mother, Bandia.
Now, the next step is giving this baby girl a name - and the public has the opportunity to do just that!
Beginning Monday, Aug. 26, Zoo lovers can cast their vote by choosing their favorite name amongst the following finalists:
Usala - This name comes from the conservation corridor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also means “forest” in Kikumu language.
Amateka - This name means “history” in Kinyarwanda language.
Mbere - This name means “first” in Kinyarwanda language.
Lobéké - This name comes from the national park in Cameroon, which is home to the highest density of western lowland gorillas in the world.
Motema - This name means “heart” in Lingala language.
Voting will remain open through Monday, Sept. 9. Members of the public may vote as many times as they would like; each vote requires a minimum $10 donation, and the winner will be determined by the name that receives the highest donation amount. The Zoo will announce the winning name shortly after the contest concludes. Proceeds from all donations in this naming contest will benefit the SAFE gorilla (Saving Animals From Extinction) Program. The SAFE program utilizes the collective efforts from zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to protect wild gorilla populations through on-the-ground protection of gorillas, research and monitoring, and targeted stakeholder engagement and education.
“This has been an incredibly fun and exciting time for our entire animal care team,” said Mike Murray, vice president of life sciences for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). “Bandia is doing an amazing job as a first-time mom; the love, care and dedication she has for her baby is just remarkable to see. We’re continuing to closely monitor her and the baby, and so far, everything has gone according to plan. We’re really looking forward to having this baby grow up and thrive here at the Zoo.”
Western lowland gorillas area critically endangered in the wild, and because conservation is at the core of everything the DZS does, the nonprofit continues to support a number of conservation partnerships and programs that keep gorillas from going extinct.
The female baby gorilla, along with her mother, Bandia; father, 36-year-old Mshindi; 20-year-old Tulivu and 11-year-old Nayembi - is the fifth gorilla to call the Zoo home at the spacious 4-acre Great Apes of Harambee habitat. The DZS will continue to share updates on the entire gorilla troop on its social media channels over the coming weeks and months.
When Mommy patted her back I lost it. Such a sweet Mommy!❤
Look at that mum doting on her new baby ! 🥰 even patting her on the back. 🥰.
I love how Mum pats the baby as if she's burping her. Obviously a very caring mum.
She probably is burping her!
A gorilla's maternal instincts are second to none.
She’s like a human mother lovingly patting her baby for comfort…absolutely amazing!❤
Voting for Motema 💜
Love how mama pats her back.
Me too. Like Motema best of name choices 🦍♥️
I love Amateka. Gorillas are very important and have a rich history. She’s adorable and mom is beautiful! ♥️🦍
Beautiful momma and baby girl! I like Motema meaning heart, perfect name for a sweet baby girl!❤
Maternal instincts are just amazing. This is so beautiful ❤😍
Que mamãe mais linda e carinhosa.❤
Mom is doing an awesome job caring for her new baby girl. Amazing!! So much mama love for her little one. What joy!! 🦍♥️
How precious.
The baby almost looks human at times. Made my heart flutter. Such a beautiful moment. We must cherish the animals. Mom is a great protectress 😍
Hi little lady, welcome to the Detroit Zoo. I'll be watching you as you grow. She's so near my home too!!😂❤🦍❤
Yay! More babies! 🥰 Mama looks proud...and tired 😅😍 I'm voting for "Motema" for this little sweetheart 💗😘
Une mère et son enfant ❤🥰😍
Look at how she is rocking and putting her baby , just like a human. She is filled with unconditional love for her daughter.
A beautiful baby girl and obviously the heart of Bandia. I vote for the name Motema; it’s perfect for these two lovely ladies.
Bandia’s Motema! 💙
I know I have never seen footage anywhere near like this display of animal infant care. It was like watching a loving human care for their baby. I’m in awe and tears.
They are so lovely to each other and that is beautiful 😍 to see mother and daughter Inter act with each other ❤ each other joyful 💖
Lovely baby and really dedicated and caring mother! Well done, Bandia! 🥰 I liked all the names, I would probably choose Usala. Thank you for the updates!
Hi mama Bandia! I will be seeing you and baby in September! Can’t wait! ❤❤❤ - Warren, Michigan
How cool and human like. Burping the baby, patting their little backside.🥰
How wonderful to watch this first time Mom caring for her baby! Patting her back, snuggles, and feeding her. Becuz of the 96 yr history I think Amateka is perfect!!
Usala gets my vote. ♥️.
This melted my heart the way she pet the baby back just like human 🥺💕
I love it when mom pats her back and rocks her to sleep. Great mom🥰🥰
I like the name amateka
🥰💝💕💋🌻 I vote and choose the name **MOTEMA** This Beautiful little GirL has Stolen our Hearts 💖💜❤ I fell IN LOVE with her at First Sight 🤗😘
Aww, so sweet. Mommy's maternal instincts are on point. She's being a wonderful first-time mom. ❤
Motema sweetest mommy moments
CONGRATULATIONS Bandai 🎉🎈🎊💐🎈on your new little BundLe of JOY 🤱 What a Beautiful sight to see 🙏🏽
Look at her being such a great Mom! ❤❤❤
Oh she's such a good mommy. This is too cute. ❤❤❤
When I went to Rwanda a couple years ago for a four day gorilla trek up the Virunga Mountains saw and walked among them in their surroundings. There was a set of twins which is rare, one came over and set down beside me. Too precious 🦍
I love Mbere…she is the first of a long line to come❤
So precious what a great Momma ❤
ITS ALSO A BEAUTY, JUST LIKE HER MUM ❤❤❤😊
The pats. 😭😭😭 I love them.
Oh, how sweet!❤
私達と同じでゆすったり、トントンしたり。お母さんの愛は無償です。
Beautiful 🤩 animals! 😻
👍❤❤
So sweet ❤❤❤❤❤
That's so cute
That's Awesome
Mbere should be her name because she is the first ❤
That is the longest foot ive ever seen on a baby gorilla 🤣🤣🤣
Usala
🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗❤️
😢 captivity entire life’s. Doing time
Gorilla mom's yawn made me yawn!
Name her Gooley
Johnson Kenneth Young Susan Williams Kimberly
Absolutely Motema ❤🥰 such a good mom! What's the word where her kind comes from for "tired" ? 🥱