Visit the Detroit Zoo to Vote for New Baby Gorilla’s Name
(Detroit Zoo, July 28, 2026)
ROYAL OAK, MI — The Detroit Zoo’s newest resident needs a name, and the Zoo is putting the decision in visitors’ hands.
From Wednesday, July 29 through Friday, July 31, guests can vote in-person for one of three names for the female western lowland gorilla born at the Zoo on July 12. Online votes won’t count. You have to show up at the Great Apes of Harambee habitat to make it official.
The Name Options:
- Amateka (a-ma-TEH-kah) — meaning “history” in Kinyarwanda
- Lobéké (loh-BEH-KAY) — a national park in Cameroon with the highest density of western lowland gorillas
- Usala (oo-SAH-la) — a conservation corridor in Congo; means “forest” in Kikumu
When to Go:
- Wednesday, July 29: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Thursday, July 30 & Friday, July 31: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
There are zookeeper chats at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There’s also a week of gorilla-themed fun with education stations, trivia, and chances to win Zoo prizes throughout the habitat. Please note that animals choose where to spend time in their habitats and may be out of sight. Staff appreciate visitors’ understanding as they provide the best possible care.
Meet the Baby:
The infant was born Sunday, July 12 to first-time mom Tulivu (Too-Lee-Voo) and is only the second gorilla born in the Zoo’s nearly 98-year history. The first was Motema (Mo-Tem-Ahh) in August 2024. The two are half-siblings.
The baby’s birth is a big deal for conservation. Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered, and every birth in human care helps support the species’ survival.
The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W. 10 Mile Road, Royal Oak. Look for the Great Apes of Harambee habitat. Learn more at https://detroitzoo.org/
