Say hello to Beni!
The Little Rock Zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, has officially named its new baby gorilla, thanks to TODAY viewers who participated in a special poll. The name Beni, revealed on April 8 during the show, was chosen because of its deep connection to the baby gorilla’s father, Kivu. Beni is named after a territory in the north Kivu province, which is located near Lake Kivu—a place that shares its name with Kivu, Beni’s father.
The naming process followed an exciting gender reveal video that aired exclusively on TODAY on April 4. In the video, viewers were introduced to the newborn and given the chance to vote for one of four meaningful name options.
Beni’s mother, Adelina, 12, and father Kivu, 33, welcomed their little one on the early morning of March 1. The zoo shared heartwarming images of Adelina tenderly cradling Beni, including one photo where the baby playfully placed his hand on his mother’s nose.
Adelina, known for her playful and silly nature, is described by the zoo as being particularly fond of boxes and enrichment activities. Meanwhile, Kivu is a protective and attentive father, although he’s not a “morning gorilla,” often grumpy in the AM.
Beni’s birth was a special moment for the Little Rock Zoo, as it marked the first time that a gorilla born at the zoo (Adelina) had given birth to her own baby there. The zoo’s animal care team expressed their excitement about the birth, which followed a carefully planned breeding recommendation by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan (SSP).
To help with naming the baby gorilla, the zoo presented viewers with four meaningful options:
Ruzizi (ROO-zee-zee): A river in Central Africa that flows into Lake Kivu, which is named after Beni’s father.
Kizazi (Key-ZAH-see): A Swahili word meaning “generation,” recognizing the generational significance of Adelina giving birth to her own child.
Beni (BEN-e): The name of a territory near Lake Kivu, honoring the close connection to Beni’s father, Kivu.
Buzibu (Boo-ZEE-boo): The name of a small hamlet in the Congo-Kinshasa region.
After much anticipation, TODAY viewers chose Beni as the perfect name for the adorable baby gorilla, and the zoo celebrated the special moment with the world.
