Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has named a baby gorilla Igitego, meaning Goal, in Rwanda’s first virtual naming ceremony for baby mountain gorillas.
The name is a rallying call for “collective goals” to wildlife conservation.
His teammate, Hector Bellerin, named another as Iriza – first born, while goalkeeper Bernd Leno named another Myugariro – defender.
The club signed a three-year £30m ($38m) sleeve sponsor deal in May 2018 to sponsor Rwanda’s tourism.
Twenty-four baby gorillas (nine female and 15 male) were on Thursday given names by park rangers, veterinarians, tour guides and the three Arsenal players.
One of them was named Amabwiriza – guidelines, as a call on park visitors to abide to coronavirus guidelines.
Other names given to the baby gorillas were Amarembo – Gateway, Nkomezamihigo – Keep it up, Kazeneza – Welcome, Umuyobozi – Leader and Umuganga – Vet.
Some 300 gorillas have been given names since 2005 in efforts to monitor their life and protect them from poachers.
Source: BBC
