(COLORADO SPRINGS) — After weeks of votes and fundraising to benefit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo), their western lowland gorilla Asha’s baby has been named. So, get ready to say hello to Sully!
The public was able to vote on one of three names chosen by CMZoo’s Primate World keepers, with a $5 minimum donation. All proceeds from the votes will go toward a new home for gorillas, orangutans, and other primates, as well as for additional historic improvements to great ape habitats.
The names up for debate were: Sully, Abu, and Ryder, but Sully was the clear winner by over $3,000 in donations!
“The name Sully is so fitting for this baby, now and as he grows up. When I think of the character ‘Sully’ I think of a big, fluffy guy who might appear to be intimidating, but in reality he is a guy with a heart of gold. Gorillas, especially silverbacks, like Sully will be one day, are often misunderstood. They may seem intimidating, but they’re gentle giants who protest their families. I amn looking forward to seeing this little guy grow up to be the leader of his own family, like his dad, Goma. I am excited to see him grow into this name and show people there is more to him than meets the eye.”
Ashton Asbury, Primate World Animal Keeper
There were a total of 462 people who donated and cast a vote for their choice of baby name:
Sully: $7,300
Abu: $4,346
Ryder: $2,805
These added up to $14,451, but a single generous donor gave another $25,000, bringing the grand total to $39,451. Every dollar donated counts because CMZoo is a nonprofit that does not receive tax support. Meaning, animal care, conservation, zoo operations, and improvements all depend on admission sales, additional CMZoo programs, and donations.
On top of disease and poaching, the western lowland gorilla, like Sully and his family, remains a dwindling endangered species as a result of massive habitat loss. This loss is due in no small part to the mining of coltan: a mineral used in ever-increasing cell phone and electronic production.
But coltan is recyclable. So, CMZoo is welcoming the donation of electronics to CMZoo admissions and Primate World to send to the electronic device recycling organization Eco-Cell, in an effort to curb the world’s dependence on coltan mining and save as much of these majestic creatures’ habitats as possible.
