In case you missed it, the National Zoo in Washington D.C., welcomed a new baby gorilla May 27 and, after tabulating results from a contest Friday, has announced her winning name is Zahra, Swahili for “beautiful flower.”
After 25,000 votes were cast, Zahra beat out Lola (Yoruba for “greatness”) and Mkali (Swahili for “fierce”).
Zahra is a western lowland gorilla, an endangered species according to the Zoo.
❤️🦍 After ~25,000 votes cast, our baby western lowland gorilla has a name 🥁 🥁 🥁 Zahra! Thanks to everyone who helped us name our “beautiful flower.” She’s an adorable ambassador for her critically endangered species! #GorillaStory (1/3) pic.twitter.com/OlMg9cVFl7
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) June 9, 2023
The Zoo is asking people to help save gorillas by recycling their electronics including cell phones, computers, tablets, cameras and gaming consoles. One of the metals inside electronic devices, tantalum, is mined from areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where gorillas live. and more—can help protect gorilla habitat by greatly reducing the demand for more expansive mining.
(Photo courtesy: National Zoo)
