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Primates News Archive
Sep. 22, 2023
There’s no better way to celebrate World Gorilla Day than with our adorable animal ambassador, Zahra! Keeper Lynne McMahan shares some of her favorite moments in this Q+A.
Sep. 12, 2023
Today, we celebrate Redd’s birthday! Our youngest Bornean orangutan has officially entered his “sassy sevens” era.
Sep. 01, 2023
Our western lowland gorilla infant hasn't quite figured out how to crawl—but she's getting close! Read the latest #GorillaStory update from primate keeper Francesca Bozzo.
Aug. 11, 2023
Our 2-month-old western lowland gorilla infant, Zahra, is very curious about the world around her. Get the latest #GorillaStory update from primate keeper Carolina Powell.
Jul. 14, 2023
6-week-old baby gorilla Zahra is becoming more curious about the world beyond her mother's protective arms, writes primate keeper Lynne McMahan.
Jun. 23, 2023
A new #GorillaStory has begun! Get the latest update on our 4-week-old western lowland gorilla, Zahra, from primate keeper Valerie Schultz.
![After five days of public voting and just under 24,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili.](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/newsroom/20230607-beckymalinsky-001-gorilla-calaya-baby.jpg?itok=8pS0NULl "After five days of public voting and just over 25,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili.")
Jun. 09, 2023
After five days of public voting and just under 25,000 votes, the baby western lowland gorilla is named Zahra [ZAH-rah], which means “beautiful flower” in Swahili.
Jun. 05, 2023
Starting today, June 5, western lowland gorilla fans will have an opportunity to vote on a name for a baby gorilla born May 27 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
May. 28, 2023
For the first time in five years, primate staff are celebrating the birth of a western lowland gorilla—a critically endangered species. It was born between midnight and 6:15 a.m. May 27 to mother... read more
Apr. 07, 2023
At Lemur Island, school is always in session for our ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed residents. Learn how primate keeper Lynne McMahan has trained the lemurs to voluntarily participate in... read more