We are pleased to announce the newest addition to our western lowland gorilla family is a girl! The infant and her mother, Honi, are doing well and can be visited along with the rest of the troop in PECO Primate Reserve.
In recognition of the public’s overwhelming interest and enthusiastic support for this important birth, Philadelphia Zoo and PECO are enlisting the help of our global community to vote on the name of the newborn gorilla. Zoo staff selected names for voting in honor of orphaned gorillas at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE). Situated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, GRACE works with orphaned Grauer's Gorillas – the largest primates in the world -- who are victims of poaching, habitat destruction and illegal trafficking. Tragically, more than 80% of these gorillas have been killed by hunters and poachers since the 1990's, and the species is now critically endangered with fewer than five thousand gorillas estimated to be alive in the wild!
Online voters will have the opportunity to vote to name our baby gorilla by donating to support the animals at GRACE. Each $1 donated counts as one vote for the name of your choice, and you may cast multiple votes by making larger donations. Donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of the net proceeds will benefit GRACE which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Furthermore, the Philadelphia Zoo will match the donations up to $10,000.
All individuals who vote will also be entered to win a Zoo prize package valued at more than $300 courtesy of PECO that includes a family plus membership, a behind-the-scenes experience, $25 food voucher and $25 Zoo shop gift certificate.
Meet our namesakes - the GRACE Gorillas
Amani (“ah-MAH-nee”)
Amani was rescued in 2009 as part of a 3-month investigation by the Congolese wildlife authority. Amani was being offered for sale while stuffed into a plastic bag, dehydrated with a bullet in her right leg, a result of the poaching event that killed her family. Amani, which means “peace”, was named this because her rescue was facilitated by U.N.peacekeepers working in eastern DRC to help stabilize the region. Amani’s leg is permanently disabled as a result of her injury, but she now has a good life at GRACE. She lives up to her peaceful name, as she is the gentlest gorilla in the group who loves to play with the younger gorillas and make peace after conflicts between group members.
Isangi (“eee-SANG-ghee”)
Isangi’s family was killed in 2012 when she was about 9 months old. She was illegally held by an armed group who used her as a mascot. Isangi was named after the village where she was surrendered to a Congolese community organization that cared for her until she moved to GRACE. Isangi immediately blended in with the other orphan gorillas at GRACE and treated them like family. Isangi is a confident and playful little gorilla who also likes to get into mischief, like stealing food whenever she gets the chance!
Mapendo (“ma-PEN-doh”)
Mapendo, whose name means “great love” was about 3 years old when she was rescued from poachers in 2007. She has been a good leader ever since she was a young gorilla, and is currently the second ranking member of the gorilla group at GRACE. Mapendo is very smart and occasionally uses tools, like branches to access food out of her reach. She is also a good friend to other gorillas and likes to carry around and mother younger gorillas.
Muyisa (“muh-EEE-sah”)
Muyisa was rescued in 2011 on the border of Rwanda and DRC. She was taken into Rwanda then due to insecurity could not return to her home in DRC for 3 years. When she finally returned to DRC in 2014 it was a cause for celebration and her Rwandan name of Ihirwe (meaning “luck”) was changed to the Congolese name of Muyisa (also “luck”) to signify her return to her Congo home.It was unclear how Muyisa would react to seeing gorillas again but as soon as she met the group at GRACE, they physically embraced her and she integrated seamlessly into the group. A remarkable story for a gorilla that lived for 3 years by herself! Despite being 4 years old when she arrived at GRACE she still wanted to be carried by older females, likely because she had missed this physical contact during a critical period of her life.
