Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director, said, “Jane is a pioneer in primatology and her groundbreaking research, which has been ongoing for over 60 years, has enabled us to see animals as fascinating creatures that have a full range of emotions. Jane now travels the world to raise awareness about nature conservation and she has inspired people on every continent. The fact that she has found time in her busy schedule to visit Prague Zoo, meet the female pangolin, Šiška (Shishka), see the baby orangutan and even come up with a name for the baby female gorilla is a great honour for us and I can’t imagine any better recognition of our hard work with endangered species.”

Jane Goodall, who celebrated her 90th birthday in April, first greeted visitors in front of the Dja Reserve, where she also christened the Czech translation of her book Pangolina. She symbolically covered one of the books, which is primarily intended for children, with champagne and then initiated an impromptu auction of this copy. She also mentioned her visit to Šiška - the first pangolin to be bred in Europe. She noted that she had never been so close to a pangolin as at Prague Zoo.

Thanks to Jane Goodall’s willingness to sign for all the waiting visitors, the book signing went on longer than expected by almost an hour. The attention then turned to the indoor gorilla exhibit. It was in front of it that Kijivu was baptised.

Jane Goodall named the female western lowland gorilla, born on April 12 at Prague Zoo, Gaia, after the Greek goddess of the Earth. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Addressing the audience Jane Goodall, the baby’s godmother, said, “I chose to name the little female gorilla Gaia for two reasons. The first is its meaning, as Gaia is the Greek goddess of the earth, and it is sometimes even used to refer to the planet Earth. Gorillas and humans are part of life on this planet and we must do everything we can to keep it that way. The second reason is a young chimpanzee named Gaia who lives in Gombe. She is now the last animal in a family lineage stretching back to the very first troop I studied and became close to in Tanzania in the Sixties. Now she has her namesake in Prague.”

In her speech, Jane Goodall also referred to the plan to link her Roots & Shoots project, which is active in 70 countries around the world, with Prague Zoo’s Wandering Bus project. The project has been running for over 11 years and aims to bring a change in Cameroonians’ attitude towards gorillas, pangolins and the ecosystem in general.

Hundreds of people came to Prague Zoo for Saturday’s event and were able to meet the British naturalist in person. There were tears of emotion and joy after meeting her, as she is a role model for many of them.

Pangolina has beautiful illustrations by Daishu Ma, a Chinese artist living in London. The Czech version can be purchased at Prague Zoo or ordered via the e-shop.

The second western lowland gorilla baby to be born at Prague Zoo this year was named Gaia. Genetic tests confirmed the keepers’ suspicions that she is a female. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo