Zoo announces first children’s book to commemorate the occasion

On Wednesday, October 26, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is celebrating baby gorilla, Kayembe’s, 1st birthday. Kayembe made history as the first gorilla born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in its 140 years.

Watch Dalia’s FIRST mud bath! Not only is rolling in the mud fun for her - it's a natural behavior with a purpose. Rhinos love a good coating of mud to help cool their bodies, protect against biting insects & to act as sunscreen. 

Courtesy of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Previously on ZooBorns:

https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2022/07/its-a-girl-cleveland-metroparks-zoo-announces-birth-of-rhino-calf.html

https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2022/08/baby-rhino-has-a-name.html

Thanks to public support, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s baby rhino has a name! Dalia! The names were selected through generous donations that raised over $10,000 for rhino conservation efforts. Starting tomorrow, guests may have the opportunity to visit Dalia in the outdoor rhino habitat. Thank you for securing a future for wildlife! 

Previously On ZooBorns: https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2022/07/its-a-girl-cleveland-metroparks-zoo-announces-birth-of-rhino-calf.html

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo recently welcomed a Francois langur baby on July 16! This is the second offspring for mom, Glora and dad, Vinh. Francois langur babies are born an orange color and will start to darken to the adults black haircoats within a few months. Francois langurs are considered Endangered by IUCN and are indigenous to China and Vietnam. Guests can visit the new baby on the second floor of The RainForest during regular Zoo hours.

Guests can help name the calf and support efforts to protect the critically endangered species

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today announced the birth of a female Eastern black rhino calf on July 9, 2022. Both mom, Kibibbi, and her calf are doing well and are bonding behind-the-scenes for the next few weeks.

The birth is an important one for the species as Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered with less than 750 remaining in the wild due to poaching that supplies the illegal international rhino horn trade and habitat loss. Guests are invited to help name the calf and support conservation efforts to protect the species.

“Kayembe” (Kah-YEM-Bay), meaning “extraordinary,” is the name of the baby gorilla born October 26 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The Zoo and Cleveland-based CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) today revealed the name following a three-week naming campaign in support of gorilla conservation through the Zoo’s longtime partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. “Kayembe” made history as the first gorilla born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in its 139 years.

The naming campaign received over 600 donations, raising nearly $15,000 for the Fossey Fund in Rwanda. Named after conservation pioneer Dian Fossey, the Fossey Fund has been saving gorillas for more than 50 years.

MORE PHOTOS BELOW THE FOLD!

There’s still time to name the Zoo’s baby gorilla! Tune in for an update to learn about what Cleveland Metroparks Zoo together with Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund are doing to secure a future for gorillas.

Name Baby G: FutureForWildlife.org/gorillanaming

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s gorilla team captured the adorable moment that Baby G propelled himself on his own! Watch as adoptive mother, Freddy, encourages his developmental movements while giving him space to explore on his own. Stay tuned for continued updates on this movin' and groovin' gorilla infant!

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and CrossCountry Mortgage are inviting the public to help choose a name for the first gorilla born at the zoo in its 139-year history. The naming opportunity not only will help the male gorilla, born October 26, settle into his home at the zoo but also supports conservation of the critically endangered species in the wild.

Participants can cast votes online by making a financial contribution for any of three names at FutureForWildlife.org/gorillanaming or by voting in person at the gorilla habitat at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and CrossCountry Mortgage are inviting the public to help choose a name for the first gorilla born at the zoo in its 139-year history. The naming opportunity not only will help the male gorilla, born October 26, settle into his home at the zoo but also supports conservation of the critically endangered species in the wild.  
 
Participants can cast votes online by making a financial contribution for any of three names at FutureForWildlife.org/gorillanaming or by voting in person at the gorilla habitat at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The three name finalists include:

Bakari, “One who will succeed”

Jabari, “Fearless or brave one”

Kayembe, “Extraordinary”

“Gorillas are an incredible species and the birth of the first gorilla here in Cleveland has been another reminder of why we need to protect them from extinction,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Chris Kuhar. “Every vote to help name our gorilla will have a direct impact, protecting this iconic and critically endangered species in the wild.”
 
An exclusive video series created in partnership with CrossCountry Mortgage continues to follow the baby’s growth and development.
 
“Cleveland is this baby gorilla’s hometown, and what better way to deepen the public’s connection than helping us select his name,” said Laura Soave, Chief Brand Officer, CrossCountry Mortgage. “We look forward to engaging the public in this opportunity and others moving forward that continue to position Cleveland, its remarkable park system and the world-class zoo as must-see destinations for decades to come.”
 
The gorilla’s birth in late October was estimated to be a month premature and his mother, Nneka, did not immediately show appropriate maternal care that is required for newborn gorillas. However, the troop’s eldest female, Fredrika or “Freddy,” quickly picked him up and has been serving as his surrogate mother ever since. In November he developed pneumonia, requiring zoo experts to step in and provide hands-on 24/7 care but this month he was successfully reunited with Freddy and the troop following his recovery.
 
Western lowland gorillas are listed as critically endangered by The World Conservation Union (IUCN). Each donation to help name the baby will help conserve gorillas in the wild through Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s longtime partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. Dr. Kristen Lukas, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Director of Conservation & Science, serves as vice chair of the Fossey Fund board and also works abroad alongside the Fossey Fund to help train Rwandan scientists studying at Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
 
Guests visiting Cleveland Metroparks Zoo can visit the baby and gorilla troop at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building daily between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The western lowland gorilla was born in late October 2021 and was the first gorilla born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in its 139 year history.

The baby was premature at birth and developed pneumonia in November requiring zoo animal care and veterinary experts to step in and provide hands-on 24/7 care of the gorilla until he fully recovered.

After his recovery, zoo experts placed him back in a nest and surrogate mother “Freddy” picked him up and took him back into her care.

Nicknamed “Baby G,” Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Cleveland-based CrossCountry Mortgage will reveal a public naming opportunity of the baby gorilla in the coming weeks.