Okabe the Gorilla in Pictures

Okabe is a male western lowland gorilla born on May 24, 2023, at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. His mother is Yewande and his father is Jasiri. Okabe’s name, meaning “to think,” is derived from the Boyki language spoken in Nigeria, chosen through a naming contest in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation. This name honors the species, the culture, and the people where western gorillas are found. Okabe is part of the zoo’s western lowland gorilla troop residing in the African Rainforest building and represents hope for the critically endangered species. He has been described by keepers as bright, energetic, and increasingly involved in the troop’s social life as he grows. The Calgary Zoo participates in the Western Lowland Gorilla Species Survival Plan, and Okabe’s birth and continued care contribute to conservation efforts for this endangered species.