Kibibi

At 1:45pm on January 10, 2009, Mandara, a western lowland gorilla, gave birth.  So to make sure we didn’t miss out on our chance to see the gollum-like baby, some friends and I took a trip to the National Zoo this Saturday.  I have not been to the zoo since the age of imaginary friends.  As you can imagine, or no longer can, I was greatly anticipating the visit, and hoped I would get the chance to cuddle with the pandas (no, not the chimps).

Here are my two observations from a few short hours at the zoo.

1. It’s every man for himself.  Children resort to barbarian tactics when trying to sneak a peak at a mammal.  Children are at a serious advantage because it is still socially acceptable for them to push you out of the way to get a better view themselves.  I thought about fighting back using their tactics, but thought that might not sit well with some of the parents.  And while trying to get a front row view of the caged creature, you better make sure you are keeping an eye on the kids around you.  I witnessed a child elbow-deep in some lady’s purse, while she was fixated on the baby
gorilla.  He smiled up at me as if to say, “I was only scavenging for some floss.”

2. If you want to see the gorillas, wait until they are outside.  The Great Ape House has the stench of decaying flesh wrapped in feces. The rest of the zoo exuded the aroma of fresh lilacs with a touch of honey compared to the Great Ape House.  I had to tap out to prevent myself from falling out of consciousness.  And the volume of people trying to view the baby gorilla made it unbearably hot.  I guess when the economy takes a turn for the worst, people flock to free entertainment: going to the zoo to watch the baby gorilla breast feed….

So the baby gorilla has been hanging around town for two months now, and it still doesn’t have a name.  I voted for Kibibi in the National Zoo’s naming contest.  It means “little lady”.  I mainly voted for Kibibi in the hopes that, and with a fair amount of certainty that, one day she outgrows her name and will no longer be a little lady. Meta.