BALTIMORE — You can now help name the newest baby at the Maryland Zoo!
A female chimpanzee was born on July 5 and at nearly three weeks old, she spends most of her time being carried by her mother, 29-year-old Bunny! The new baby is one of 13 chimpanzees at the zoo.
The names up to vote are:
· Afia –(pronounced ah-fee-ah) means “ born on a Friday,” from the ‘Ewe’ language which is a Niger-Congo language spoken in Benin, Toga and Ghana in Africa. Chimpanzees can be found in Ghana, but the population there, as in most areas, is in rapid decline due to habitat loss and overhunting.
· Kit – in reference to her mother’s name. A baby rabbit is called a kit or a kitten.
· Lola – another play on her mother’s name. Lola is the name of the female rabbit in Looney Tunes.
· Zalika – (pronounced zah-leek-ah) Swahili for “well born.” Swahili is spoken in multiple East and Central African countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo where chimpanzees are found.
To help select the perfect name, click here.
