CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s baby gorilla finally has a name.
After a three-week naming campaign where zoo officials had the public vote online, officials announced Thursday that the fan-favorite was Kayembe, which means “extraordinary.”
Kayembe was among three choices. The other two were Bakari, meaning “one who will succeed” and Jabari, meaning “fearless or brave one.”
Zoo officials said the naming campaign also raised $15,000.
The western lowland gorilla was born on Oct. 26, becoming the first gorilla born at the zoo in 139 years. When he was born, the mother, Nneka, didn’t show appropriate maternal care, the zoo reported. Another gorilla, Fredrika — known as Freddy — who raised others at the zoo, took care of the baby.
The baby is at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building, available for families to see from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.
