“Great view riding on Grandma.” Photo by Marianne Hale, from SF Zoo’s Facebook Page
The newest addition to the gorilla family will make her debut Saturday at the San Francisco Zoo and her name will be announced Friday morning.
The infant western lowland gorilla was born on July 17 to parents Nneka and Oscar Jonesy and has been preparing to meet the public at zoo’s Jones Family Gorilla Preserve at 10 a.m.
She is joining the six-member troop with the matriarch of the troop, Bawang, a 33-year-old gorilla, assuming the role of caretaker of the young gorilla.
The public has been voting for their favorite name for the baby gorilla and her moniker will be announced by zoo officials Friday morning.
The final three choices from 850 submissions are Malaika, which means “heavenly messenger” in Swahili; Kenura, which is “joy” in Kikuyu; and Kabibe, which means “little lady” in Swahili.
As part of the naming process, each vote costs $1 that is donated to the care of the gorillas at the zoo.
The zoo is located at the foot of Sloat Boulevard and the Great Highway.
Sasha Lekach, Bay City News
