The Assiniboine Park Zoo is asking the public to help name a baby gibbon born earlier this year to parents Maya and Samson. (APC / HANDOUT)
The Assiniboine Park Zoo needs the public’s help in naming a baby gibbon born earlier this year.
The white-handed gibbon is the first offspring for Maya (female) and Samson (male) and was born on February 4.
“Maya is doing great as a first time mom and our young gibbon is growing and healthy,” said Allison Ginsburg, curator, animal care at Assiniboine Park Zoo.
“Gibbons are very attached to their mothers for the first few months of their lives, but it won’t be long before our little one starts exploring independently.”
An online poll has been launched to name the young gibbon, beginning with a selection of three possible names. Zoo officials suspect the gibbon is female, but haven’t completed a physical examination to determine the sex.
The name choices are as follows:
1. Salju – Indonesian word for snow
2. Kadali – a south-east Asian name that means “banana tree”
3. Perdana – Malay/Indonesian word meaning “prime” or “first”
Voting will remain open until 4 p.m. on Monday, April 29. Results will be announced on social media on Wednesday, May 1.
Visitors to the zoo can see the new gibbon up close this Friday during a special in-service day discount, reduced to $15 for youth, adults and seniors. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
