The Assiniboine Park Zoo reached out to Manitobans late last week for help naming the newest member of the Zoo's white-handed gibbon family.

A short list of names was identified by the Zoo's care team, with all the options starting with the letters M and S. Those names included:

  • Minerva – the Roman goddess of wisdom
  • Maavi – meaning precious
  • Malai – meaning garland of flowers
  • Supanee – meaning fast

After receiving 2300 votes in their naming poll, Maavi was the clear winner, with 62 percent of the vote. 

Maavi, mom Maya, and the rest of the gibbon family can now be visited at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.