CHICAGO (AP) — Lincoln Park Zoo staffers finally got close enough to a western lowland gorilla born there last month to determine the baby is a girl.
Officials at the Chicago zoo say once staffers determined the baby's sex they moved quickly to name the little girl Patty. The name is in honor of the mother-in-law of a zoo life trustee. The zoo reports that since giving birth, Patty's mother, 17-year-old Bana has gone through positive changes.
The zoo says she's suddenly interested in a research project that has apes and staffers use computer touchscreens to communicate with each other. The zoo says she's become more confident about approaching researchers and not deferring to other gorillas that monopolize the computer.
Today is Saturday, May 25, the 145th day of 2013. There are 220 days left in the year. 1863 -- 150 years ago: The annual review of the fire department of this city took placeyesterday and made a fine showing with machines and hose carts in tip-top order. 1888 -- 125 years ago: Last night's prayer meeting at Central Presbyterian Church wascalled off due to water in the basement, residue of last week's flood. 1913 -- 100 years ago: The junior class of Rock Island High School will hold a riverexcursion on the steamer St. Paul next Tuesday. 1938 -- 75 years ago: The 75th Anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal today finds thenation's largest ordinance manufacturing plant filling many important orders for the army. 1963 -- 50 years ago: Miss Patrice Daly, Rock Island, a senior at Rock Island HighSchool, won second place in the recent state public speaking contest held in Peoria underthe auspices of the Knights of Pythias. 1988 -- 25 years ago: Hampton's sesquicentennial committee and the Hampton HistoricalSociety have scheduled a full slate of activities, which will be held throughout the year, to celebrate the village's 150th birthday. The first celebration will be the Memorial Dayprogram at 10 a.m. May 30, at the Brettun and Black Store Museum on River Road. Therewill be a sesquicentennial display.