Calgary Zoo's baby gorilla gets Nigerian name

The Calgary Zoo has selected a name for its month-old baby gorilla that acknowledges the loss of other gorillas at the facility.

The female western lowland gorilla born on May 15 has been named Yewande, a Nigerian name that would be given to a girl born into a village after the death of an elder female in the family.

Yewande means "the mother has come back," zoo officials said Wednesday.

"After the losses to our gorilla family last year, we were very touched by the thoughtfulness of this entry," said gorilla keeper Garth Irvine. "It just seemed to be the right choice for our little girl."

In 2007, three female gorillas died from illness at the Calgary Zoo. In August 2006, a newborn was lost after the dominant female in the group claimed the baby as her own from the birth mother, Zuri, and wouldn't let her go.

The baby's name was selected from more than 1,400 entries. Justin Brouwer, a Calgarian who submitted the name, wins a prize package that includes a family pass to the zoo for a year and a tour with the gorilla keepers.

After a period of quiet transition, the zoo said visitors can now see Yewande in the exhibit with mother Zuri, half-sister Barika and father Kakinga.