April 1, 2008

Photo Opportunity:

Ivar’s and Kidd Valley to announce name of baby gorilla – Primetime for Primates at the zoo spotlights gorillas and other apes

Contact:
Gigi Allianic, Ric Brewer
206.684.4838; c:206.349.3533
gigi.allianic@zoo.org
ric.brewer@zoo.org

What:
The winning name of the baby gorilla is…Five months after her birth, a female western lowland gorilla will finally have a name! Ivar’s and Kidd Valley and Woodland Park Zoo will formally announce the name at a celebration of primates. The name was selected through a three-week-long baby gorilla naming contest presented by Ivar’s and Kidd Valley and the zoo. The naming celebration treats visitors to complimentary babycakes by Cupcake Royale (while supplies last), a “Proud to be a primate” sticker and, of course, the gorillas.

Photo: Ryan Hawk

Washington state residents were invited to submit names at any Western Washington Ivar’s or Kidd Valley, as well as the zoo. Only names submitted in the African languages of Swahili, Hausa (HOW-suh), Igbo (E-boo), or Yoruba (YOUR-uh-buh) qualified for the grand prize to honor the zoo’s tradition of naming its animals in languages reflecting their area of origin. The grand prize winner receives: a 12-month family membership to Woodland Park Zoo, $150 Ivar’s gift card, 12-month adoption of the baby gorilla, commemorative gorilla print and large plush gorilla. The judging panel consisted of the zoo’s gorilla keepers and volunteers.

When:
Friday, April 4, 10:00 a.m.

Where:
Woodland Park Zoo’s Gorilla East exhibit in the Tropical Rain Forest. Media can meet at the ARC near the West Entrance at N. 55th St. & Phinney Ave. N. The ARC is a locked building. If early or late, enter through the West Entrance and proceed directly to the gorilla exhibit. Note: The exhibit is behind glass.

Who:
Ivar’s CEO Bob Donegan; Woodland Park Zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen; Woodland Park Zoo baby gorilla and family; Ivar’s Clam.

Info:
The gorilla naming celebration kicks off Primetime for Primates, Friday, April 4, as part of EcoWeekend presented by ShoreBank Pacific and The Boeing Company. Primetime for Primates puts the spotlight on orangutans, gorillas and siamangs with special keeper talks, a puppet show in Zoomazium and other activities. EcoWeekend is held Thursday through Sunday, April 3-6, to celebrate wildlife, the wild places humans share with animals and the changes we can make to positively impact the planet.

The gorilla, born last October, represents the twelfth successful gorilla birth for the zoo and the third offspring between 38-year-old Amanda and the father, 29-year-old Vip. The zoo currently houses 11 gorillas in two separate groups in the award-winning Tropical Rain Forest.

The western lowland gorilla lives in six countries across west equatorial Africa: southeast Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, west Congo and Equatorial Guinea. All gorillas are endangered and the western lowland gorilla is the most numerous with a population of approximately 94,000. However, the population is declining due to poaching and disease (World Wildlife Fund). The bushmeat trade, facilitated by logging, and the Ebola virus have become immediate threats to the western lowland gorilla population, particularly in Cameroon.

For information about Primetime for Primates and EcoWeekend, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500 or 206.548.2599 (TTY). The gorilla naming celebration and EcoWeekend activities are free with zoo admission.

The zoo opens 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily through April 30. Admission through April 30: Adult (13-64) $11.00; Child (3-12) $8.00; Toddler (0-2) Free. Seniors and people with disabilities receive a discount and zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round.

Parking: $4.50. Consider taking the bus, biking, walking or carpooling. Conserving resources is one more way of helping the animals. Call Metro at 206.553.3000 for bus service to the zoo.

Started on Seattle's waterfront in 1938, today, there are 24 Ivar's fast casual Seafood Bars, three Fish Bars, and three full-service restaurants: Ivar's Acres of Clams, Ivar's Salmon House and Ivar's Mukilteo Landing. Ivar's Soup and Sauce Company markets and sells its award-winning soups, chowders, and sauces both nationally and internationally. The company also operates 19 regional stadium concessions including Safeco Field, Qwest Field, Husky Stadium and the Everett Event Center. Learn more at www.ivars.net.

Kidd Valley's made-to-order burgers, old fashioned hand-mixed shakes, fresh onion rings and signature fried mushrooms began in 1975 in a small Seattle storefront. Today, Kidd Valley has several locations throughout Western Washington. Learn more at www.kiddvalley.com.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos all over the world. Conservation, education and excellent animal care are at the core of the zoo’s mission. The zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring people to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.