Tag Archives: chimpanzee

And the Baby Chimp’s Name Is….

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Mahale and JumokeThe votes are in, the results have been tabulated and the Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce that the name of its new baby chimpanzee is JUMOKE (pronounced joo MOH keh).

A total of 1,401 votes were cast in an online poll collected at the Little Rock Zoo’s website. Jumoke received 42 percent of the vote with 584 votes. Kibale received 36 percent of the vote with 504 percent and Kgosi received 22 percent with 313 votes.

The public was asked to participate in an online poll posted after the July 18, 2015, birth of its new baby chimpanzee to chimp Mahale (pronounced ma HAH lay). Keepers selected three possible choices from which the public would be asked to choose:

Jumoke – Swahili for “everyone loves the child”

Kibale – (pronounced kih BAH lay) named after Kibale National Park in Uganda. The baby’s mother, Mahale, was named for Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania.

Kgosi –   (pronounced koh see) a Setswana term for “king” or “chief”. The baby’s grandfather was named “King Richard”

This marks the second birth for Mahale who gave birth to Kendi (pronounced ken dee) on August 29, 2009. While paternity tests have not been conducted, keepers suspect the likely father of the baby is Kijana (pronounced key JHON ah) the alpha male chimpanzee of the group.

The new baby and the chimp family are most likely to be visible to the public during the 1:30 p.m. scatter feed at the Great Ape exhibit every day. However, keepers note that mom and baby have access to an indoor air conditioned area and have the choice to venture outside or stay inside.

The birth of this chimp comes as the result of the Little Rock Zoo’s participation in the chimpanzee Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The SSP is an organization with members from other AZA accredited zoos that makes breeding and companionship recommendations for endangered animals.  The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Last day to vote on new chimp name at LR Zoo!

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Mom and baby chimpYou have until midnight tonight to help the Little Rock Zoo select the name of the new male chimp.

He was born July 18, 2015, to chimp Mahale. Name choices for the baby were selected by keeper staff.  Presented in alphabetical order the choices are:

    • Jumoke – Swahili for “everyone loves the child.”
    • Kgosi – a Setswana term for “king” or “chief.” The baby’s grandfather was named “King Richard.”
    • Kibale – named after Kibale National Park in Uganda; this is similar to the baby’s mother, Mahale, who was named for Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania.

Voting will take place online at the Zoo website until TONIGHT!  Visit www.LittleRockZoo.com/babychimp to vote.  Results will be posted after noon on Monday, August 3.

This marks the second birth for Mahale, who gave birth to Kendi on August 29, 2015. While paternity tests have not been conducted, keepers suspect the likely father of the baby is Kijana, the alpha male chimpanzee of the group.

The best opportunity to see the new baby and the chimp family is during the 1:30 p.m. scatter feed at the Great Ape exhibit every day. However, mom and baby have access to an indoor air conditioned area; they have the choice to venture outside or not.

The chimp’s birth is the result of efforts by the chimpanzee Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The SSP is an organization with members from other AZA accredited zoos that makes breeding and companionship recommendations for endangered animals.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

New chimp born at LR Zoo. Help pick the Zoo pick the name!

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Mom and baby chimpThe Little Rock Zoo is excited to announce the birth of a male chimpanzee born July 18, 2015, to chimp Mahale. Along with that announcement, the Zoo also launched an online poll asking the public to vote for a name for the new baby.

Name choices for the baby were selected by keeper staff.  Presented in alphabetical order the choices are:

    • Jumoke – Swahili for “everyone loves the child.”
    • Kgosi – a Setswana term for “king” or “chief.” The baby’s grandfather was named “King Richard.”
    • Kibale – named after Kibale National Park in Uganda; this is similar to the baby’s mother, Mahale, who was named for Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania.

Voting will take place online at the Zoo website until midnight on Sunday, August 2, 2015.  Visit www.LittleRockZoo.com/babychimp to vote.  Results will be posted after noon on Monday, August 3.

This marks the second birth for Mahale, who gave birth to Kendi on August 29, 2015. While paternity tests have not been conducted, keepers suspect the likely father of the baby is Kijana, the alpha male chimpanzee of the group.

The best opportunity to see the new baby and the chimp family is during the 1:30 p.m. scatter feed at the Great Ape exhibit every day. However, mom and baby have access to an indoor air conditioned area; they have the choice to venture outside or not.

The chimp’s birth is the result of efforts by the chimpanzee Species Survival Plan (SSP) of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The SSP is an organization with members from other AZA accredited zoos that makes breeding and companionship recommendations for endangered animals.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.