Colchester Zoo reveals the name of adorable baby chimpanzee — how Kora’s vote settled a 17‑year wait
colchester zoo has announced the name of the infant chimpanzee born earlier this year: Keira. The arrival, the first chimpanzee birth at the site in 17 years, was followed by a public naming process and an unusual tie-breaker: keepers presented banners so that mum Kora could make the final choice. The little chimp is described as healthy and well and is now the youngest member of the zoo’s chimpanzee group on display at Chimpanzee Lookout.
Colchester Zoo’s naming process: how Kora chose Keira
The announcement explains that staff invited the public to suggest names, then narrowed the field before the keepers reached a tie. Rather than imposing a final decision, the team prepared banners so that Kora could select directly. Kora’s choice resulted in the baby being named Keira. A spokesperson for Colchester Zoo said, “We’d like to thank everyone who suggested names for our newest chimpanzee arrival. After reading through all the suggestions, the Animal Care Team are pleased to share that the baby has been named Keira. Be sure to stop by Chimpanzee Lookout on your next visit to see the chimp family. ”
Why this matters now
The birth marks the first chimpanzee arrival at the site in 17 years, with Kora and dad Napoleon identified as the parents. Kora, who was born at the zoo in November 1999, has produced her first offspring, and the newborn is now the youngest member of the group. Napoleon joined the collection on April 2, 2025, arriving from Bioparc Fuengirola as part of a breeding programme. The newborn’s healthy status and public naming process have drawn local attention, and the zoo has encouraged visitors to meet Keira at Chimpanzee Lookout.
Expert perspectives and conservation context
Primate keeper Lizzy, Primate Keeper, Colchester Zoo, said, “She’s doing really well alongside her mum, Kora — and we’ve got an exciting announcement to share with you. ” In further remarks, the team added, “We’re really excited to see little Keira grow up here. ” The Animal Care Team’s public invitation to suggest names underlines the zoo’s effort to engage the community in this milestone.
The zoo’s own statements link the arrival to conservation importance: chimpanzees are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and face threats in the wild, including habitat loss from deforestation and being hunted for bushmeat. The birth of Keira is presented by staff as positive news for the species’ conservation within managed care and breeding initiatives.
Regional and visitor impact
Keira’s arrival is expected to be a draw for local visitors. The zoo has invited people to stop by the Chimpanzee Lookout to see the chimp family, noting that the baby is doing well tucked with her mother, Kora. The zoo framed the naming exercise as a community activity, thanking members of the public who submitted suggestions. The combination of a first birth in 17 years and a public role in naming has been highlighted as a way to strengthen local interest in the chimpanzee group and in the zoo’s broader conservation messaging.
With Kora’s first offspring and Napoleon’s recent arrival under a breeding programme, staff describe the young chimp’s presence as both a biological milestone and a moment for public engagement. The Animal Care Team has asked visitors to look out for Keira and the family during visits, reinforcing the link between hands‑on animal care, managed breeding, and visitor education at the site.
As Keira settles into life with Kora and the troop, how will colchester zoo balance public interest with the long‑term care and conservation goals that the team has emphasised?
