In Photos: Baby Gorilla Naming Ceremony

News
By published

Baby Get Their Names

Mountain gorillas usually travels in troops.

(Image credit: Kwita Izina)

Crowds Gather

About 5,000 people came to Kwita Izina this year. The ceremony organizers hope to raise awareness about the mountain gorilla's endangered species status.

(Image credit: Kwita Izina)

About 5,000 people came to Kwita Izina this year. The ceremony organizers hope to raise awareness about the mountain gorilla's endangered species status.

Musicians Perform

The ceremony also included entertainment and performances by local musicians.

(Image credit: Kwita Izina)

The ceremony also included entertainment and performances by local musicians.

The Gorilla Namers

Those chosen to do the naming were clothed in traditional African robes. The ceremony comes from an ancient African tradition of ceremoniously giving names with deep meaning.

(Image credit: Kwita Izina)

Those chosen to do the naming were clothed in traditional African robes. The ceremony comes from an ancient African tradition of ceremoniously giving names with deep meaning.

Helpless Babies

Mountain gorillas only weigh four pounds when they're born.

(Image credit: Kwita Izina)

Mountain gorillas only weigh about 4 lbs. (1.8 kilograms) when they are born. Eventually, they will grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and weigh up to 400 lbs. (181 kg) in adulthood.

Mother and Newborn

Baby gorillas ride on their mother's backs for most of the first three years of their lives.

(Image credit: Kwita Izina)

Baby gorillas ride on their mother's backs for most of the first three years of their lives.

Habitat Destruction

Mountain gorillas live in dense forest covered mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Their habitat is threatened by deforestation.

(Image credit: Kwita Izina)

These gorillas live in dense forest-covered mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Their habitat is threatened by deforestation.

Kelly Dickerson
Kelly Dickerson
Staff Writer
Kelly Dickerson is a staff writer for Live Science and Space.com. She regularly writes about physics, astronomy and environmental issues, as well as general science topics. Kelly is working on a Master of Arts degree at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism, and has a Bachelor of Science degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from Berry College. Kelly was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, and dabbles in skimboarding and long-distance running.