The male baby gorilla who was born two months ago at Dublin zoo has been named Kituba. The zoo ran a competition to name the baby based on his West African origin. The suggestion came from Caoileann Carton (11) from Knocklyon in Dublin.
Kituba is one of the main languages spoken in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa, where the gorillas are found.
Keepers were initially unable to identify the baby’s gender because his mother Lena held him so tightly. After two weeks she relaxed her grip just enough for them to make a judgment.
Baby Kituba is thriving and getting stronger every day with his family – Lena, father Harry, brothers Alfie and Evindi and sister Mayani.
Kituba’s birth is a significant success for Dublin zoo, which takes part in the European breeding programme.