Home / Lifestyle / Cincinnati Zoo Welcomes Baby Gorilla Mboka Jo with Heartfelt Tribute
Cincinnati Zoo Welcomes Baby Gorilla Mboka Jo with Heartfelt Tribute
18 Oct
Summary
- Newborn gorilla named Mboka Jo, meaning "community/village" in Lingala
- Name honors those who supported mother Gladys during her pregnancy
- Middle name Jo pays tribute to Gladys' foster father Jomo
On October 13th, 2025, the Cincinnati Zoo announced the birth of a baby gorilla on September 20th. The newborn has been named Mboka Jo, a name with deep significance.
"Mboka" means "community/village" in Lingala, one of the languages spoken in the region where western lowland gorillas live. This is a tribute to all the people who have supported the mother, Gladys, throughout her pregnancy and her previous challenges, such as a broken arm last year.
The middle name "Jo" was added by the zoo workers to honor Jomo, Gladys' foster father. This touching gesture pays homage to the important role Jomo played in Gladys' life.
Fans and attendees of the Cincinnati Zoo have celebrated the newborn's name, praising it as a beautiful and meaningful tribute. A follow-up post on October 16th showed Mboka Jo, now almost a month old, thriving under the care of his wonderful mother, Gladys.
