Mwelu: Difference between revisions
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'''Mwelu''' (born [[July 16]]<!--or June 16-->, [[1986]] at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio) is a male silverback Western Lowland Gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') now at the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee. | '''Mwelu''' (born [[July 16]]<!--or June 16-->, [[1986]] at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio) is a male silverback Western Lowland Gorilla (''Gorilla gorilla gorilla'') now at the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee. | ||
Mwelu is one of three offspring of [[Birmingham]]'s former gorilla [[ | Mwelu is one of three offspring of [[Birmingham]]'s former gorilla [[Susie]], who mated with a male named Oscar after being transferred to Columbus. He was brought to Birmingham on [[March 2]], [[1987]] and was the subject of a naming contest sponsored by the [[Alabama Zoological Association]] and the [[Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company]]. [[Cynthia Heck]] of Birmingham sent in the winning entry, which was inspired by a gorilla that was named Mwelu by naturalist Dian Fossey who featured in her book, ''Gorillas in the Mist''. The Burundi word is translated as "a touch of brightness and light." | ||
Mwelu spent the next six years alternating between Birmingham and the Cincinnati Zoo, with his longest tenure here lasting from [[May 9]], [[1989]] to [[August 5]], [[1991]]. He was moved to the Gulf Breeze Zoo in July [[1993]], and to the Memphis Zoo in November [[2007]]. | Mwelu spent the next six years alternating between Birmingham and the Cincinnati Zoo, with his longest tenure here lasting from [[May 9]], [[1989]] to [[August 5]], [[1991]]. He was moved to the Gulf Breeze Zoo in July [[1993]], and to the Memphis Zoo in November [[2007]]. | ||
Revision as of 15:28, 3 September 2015
Mwelu (born July 16, 1986 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio) is a male silverback Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) now at the Memphis Zoo in Memphis, Tennessee.
Mwelu is one of three offspring of Birmingham's former gorilla Susie, who mated with a male named Oscar after being transferred to Columbus. He was brought to Birmingham on March 2, 1987 and was the subject of a naming contest sponsored by the Alabama Zoological Association and the Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Cynthia Heck of Birmingham sent in the winning entry, which was inspired by a gorilla that was named Mwelu by naturalist Dian Fossey who featured in her book, Gorillas in the Mist. The Burundi word is translated as "a touch of brightness and light."
Mwelu spent the next six years alternating between Birmingham and the Cincinnati Zoo, with his longest tenure here lasting from May 9, 1989 to August 5, 1991. He was moved to the Gulf Breeze Zoo in July 1993, and to the Memphis Zoo in November 2007.
Mwelu was originally Memphis' lone gorilla, but was joined by two females, a mother and daughter from the San Diego Zoo, in 2008. Mwelu was more interested, however, in television personality Rachael Ray, whose show he was allowed to watch when he was off exhibit. Ray visited the Memphis Zoo to tape a segment about Mwelu in July 2008. In December 2009 another female, Kwizera, considered a potential mate for Mwelu, was brought to Memphis from the Buffalo Zoo in New York.
References
- "No 'Bill' or 'Bob' for baby-- It's 'Mwelu'" (April 7, 1987) The Birmingham News
- Stout, Cathryn (July 23, 2008) "Zoo resident's crush lands a date with 'Rachael Ray'." Memphis Commercial Appeal
- Moore, Linda A. (December 12, 2009) "Zoo hopes new addition will be mate for Mwelu." Memphis Commercial Appeal
External links
- Mwelu at gorillasland.yolasite.com