Surprise! Gorillas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Reveal Name of Newest Family Member

Originally published at Disney Parks News

The arrival of baby animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park continues to bring joy to our guests and animal care team, proving that nature holds the truest magic of all. Just last month, we celebrated the birth of a healthy western lowland gorilla to parents Azizi and Gino.

Over the last couple of weeks, guests have been captivated to see Azizi and her baby bonding onstage at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail presented by OFF! Repellents. Azizi’s favorite place to rest with the baby is right next to the glass, where lucky guests are sometimes able to get an up-close view of the pair together. Azizi’s son Cory is very curious about his new sibling and likes to visit with his mom and the baby.

I am thrilled to share with you the name of our newest addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom family. But instead of just telling you what it is, I’ll let our family troop of gorillas handle the big reveal in their own special way. Check out the video below to watch Cory, Lilly and the rest of the troop unveil the baby’s name, and keep reading to learn the meaning behind the choice.

And there you have it, her name is Ada (AH-duh)! The name comes from the Igbo people in Nigeria and can be translated to mean “first daughter.” After giving birth to two sons, it was fitting to name Azizi’s first daughter, Ada.

To make this exciting announcement possible, our animal care team formed letters using rice cereal for the gorillas to unwrap. The reveal activity was designed to stimulate the troop’s problem-solving skills and encourage them to interact with their environment.

Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom can join us in celebrating Ada’s arrival by visiting Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail presented by OFF! Repellents. They may even catch a glimpse of Azizi and Ada as mother and daughter continue to nurse and bond.

For more information about gorillas, visit DisneyAnimals.com.