Maryland Zoo Celebrates First Chimp Birth in Ten Years; Celebration Includes Public Naming Opportunity and First-Ever Baby Gift Registry

Maryland Zoo Celebrates First Chimp Birth in Ten Years; Celebration Includes Public Naming Opportunity and First-Ever Baby Gift Registry BALTIMORE, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore announces the arrival of a male baby chimpanzee, born to longtime Chimpanzee Forest resident Joice, and newcomer Joe, on October 20, 2004. This is the first chimpanzee birth at The Maryland Zoo since 1995. The public is invited to celebrate this birth through participation in the baby naming selection. Zookeepers in Baltimore Zoo's Chimpanzee Forest have selected five names open for public vote. The election will take place online at http://www.marylandzoo.org/ through December 1st, 2004. The new baby chimp will be named: Jabali (JAH-bah-lee) Swahili for "strong as a rock" Jelani (jeh-LAH-nee) Swahili for "mighty one" Jibade (jee-bah-DEH) Yoruba for "royalty" Jumoke (joo-MOH-keh) Yoruba for "everyone loves the child" Jengo (JEHN-goh) Swahili for "building, strength" Toys "R" Us has organized the first-ever baby registry for Maryland Zoo's new baby chimp at http://www.toysrus.com/. The registry is filled with things that an infant and mother need ranging from formula and diapers, to toys and videos. The public can help celebrate this birth by clicking on "baby registry," and entering "Joice Chimpanzee" as the name, or 64156617 as the registry number to view the list of items needed. In January, The Zoo welcomed two male chimpanzees, Charley and Joe (the proud father of baby chimp), from The Detroit Zoo. The males came to Baltimore as part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation. An SSP is a cooperative breeding and conservation program overseen by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, which is the governing body of accredited zoos and aquariums in the United States. These programs are designed to maintain genetically viable populations of animals in captivity and to organize zoo and aquarium-based efforts to preserve the species in situ (in their natural habitats). A high-resolution photo is available for download at http://www.marylandzoo.org/, click on "general info," then "Press Room." Source: The Maryland Zoo CONTACT: Ben Gross, Senior Public Relations Manager for The Maryland Zoo, +1-410-396-7639, +1-301-537-5398 (c) Web site: http://www.marylandzoo.org/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment