Binti Baby Registry

Preparing for a new baby can be quite a task---whether the baby is human or not! Before Binti Jua Gorilla gave birth to little Bakari in May, Tropic World keepers put together a list of items that would be necessary to offer the little baby the highest quality of care. After looking at the list, staff was surprised to see how similar the list looked to some of their own baby registries---and an idea was born!

Want to help keepers care for Binti’s Baby---and come away with something fun for yourself? Well, pick an item from the list below---it corresponds with a special Share the Care package for the adorable little ape. We cannot accept a gift of the actual item, but by making a donation through the Share the Care program, you will be helping the zoo to purchase all the things that baby Bakari, mom Binti, and the rest of the gorilla troop will need in the coming months and years.

So, what does this bundle of joy require? Here is the list---your Share the Care package purchase will help the zoo get the real things:

Food Prep and Behavioral Enrichment items:
These are the tools keepers will use to store special treats for the gorillas behind-the-scenes, things like fruit and home-made popsicles!

Set of plastic measuring cups
Spoons
Plastic funnel
Assorted plastic Tupperware and lids (“baby jar sized,” as well as 6, 8, and 12-quart containers)
Plastic ice cube trays

Behavioral Enrichment for off-exhibit use:
Just like a developing human, Binti’s bouncing baby boy needs some fun stimulating toys to keep those brain synapses firing on all cylinders! But as you can imagine, most baby toys are not built for the rigors of a growing gorilla---and just like humans, sometimes the simplest toys are best (we know your kids sometimes spend more time with the box than the toys too!)

Crib toys with all plastic parts
Boomer ball framed mirrors
Boomer “donuts” plastic toys
Heavy-duty bungee cord (at least 24 feet)
Blankets to hide under and play

Party Food:
Hey, everyone needs tasty treats for the big family gatherings---and the gorilla troop certainly qualifies as BIG (and they can eat!):

Potted ficus tree for seasonal browse gardens
Banana plants for seasonal browse gardens
Grow lights to keep the plantings healthy indoors
Air-pop Popcorn Popper (hold the butter and salt)

Health care:
Binti got the best possible prenatal care. It will continue throughout her life at Brookfield Zoo for mom and baby:

Ultrasound equipment
Hand-held ear thermometer
Digital surveillance cameras for remote monitoring
Stethoscope
Heat lamps on 4 foot stands (3)
Baby sitters and professional nannies (keepers!)
Small dry-erase boards
Additional video equipment to monitor exhibit
Diaper service (more keepers!)

So how can you help? Show you care by purchasing a Binti’s Baby Share the Care package.

Interested in providing Behavioral Enrichment, Food Preparation items and nutritional treats? Choose the Basic Package for $35. The package includes:

5”x7” photo of Binti and her baby
Personalized “Certificate of Caring”
Gorilla fact sheet
Brookfield Zoo gorilla troop family tree
Invitation to Share the Care Evening next summer (ticket purchase required).

If you want to help supply the big items, such as Health Care equipment, choose the Deluxe Package for $60.

All the benefits of the basic package
PLUS, a 10” gorilla plush
Handprint from Ramar, the baby gorilla’s father
Four free tickets to Share the Care Evening

Your gift will help to purchase all of the items on this list---but more importantly it will help care for the zoo’s gorillas over the next year as the baby develops rapidly.