April 2021 The Top 5 names have been selected! Our zookeepers have selected a Top 5 from more than 2,600 submissions. We will announce the winning name during a live stream at Apenheul on Saturday, 1 May. The first people to submit the five names through the website have been notified personally. Top 5 (in no specific order):
- Kymani
- Kizazi
- Kiango
- Kaizari
- Mwenzi
March 2021 In mid-February, a bonobo was born in Apenheul, and now gorilla Gyasi has given birth to a healthy child for the second time. Mother Gyasi and her baby are doing well. The baby's gender is not yet known. Apenheul is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and this is the 50th gorilla baby born in the beautiful nature park. It is also an extraordinary event because this is silverback Bao Bao's first offspring.
Silverback Bao Bao's first offspring
Apenheul is part of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) for gorillas to preserve this endangered species in zoos. Today, the genes of many gorillas born in Apenheul have been spread worldwide. Father Bao Bao's genes were not represented in the breeding program until now because he lived without women for many years. Two years ago, the silverback came to Apenheul to breed. At the time, it was unclear how he would behave in a group. "We are extremely happy with the birth of a healthy gorilla baby. It was not certain whether Bao Bao would be the right leader for the group, and he had never mated before either. Step by step, the zookeepers helped him acclimatise, and the birth of a healthy baby is the crowning glory of our work. This gorilla baby is the first to carry half of Bao Bao's genes, and that is very important," says Raoul Michon, zookeeper at Apenheul.