Gorilla born at Atlanta zoo in August gets a name

ATLANTA - A gorilla born at Atlanta's zoo in August has been named Anaka.

Zoo Atlanta officials say the female infant is the youngest gorilla at the zoo, and was born to mother Sukari on Aug. 30.

She is the 21st gorilla born at the zoo since 1988 and is one of two infants born there this year. She and her half-sister Andi, who was born in March, are the fifth and sixth surviving grandchildren of the zoo's famous deceased gorilla Willie B.

The daughter of a longtime zoo supporter got to name the gorilla as a gift for her birthday.

Atlanta's zoo is home to the country's largest collection of western lowland gorillas. The species is classified as critically endangered, with wild populations being harmed by habitat loss and poaching.

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