SF Zoo Searches for "Alexis," Budding Philanthropist, Gorilla Lover, Origami-Maker

Thank you to the kind tipster who warmed our hearts with this story from Kron 4/Bay City News. The San Francisco Zoo is searching for a young girl named Alexis who visited the zoo on August 10 and donated $22 to baby gorilla Hasani, which she raised selling her handmade origami to friends. The zookeeper had run to get a photo of Hasani to give to Alexis as a token of the zoo's appreciation, but when the the worker returned, Alexis had left.

Zoo officials would like to formally thank Alexis and invite her to a special meet-and-greet with the gorilla keepers.

Hasani, whose mother had rejected him at birth, is being raised by his surrogate mother Bawang, and he's doing really well, as the accompanying photo illustrates. Hasani has been fully integrated with the entire gorilla troop, including his father Oscar Jonesy and his mother Monifa. The money Alexis donated will help purchase Hasani's formula.

Anyone who knows Alexis, please call Gwendolyn Tornatore at (415) 753-7174.