Natalie Portman Names Baby Gorilla  7/2/07

Actress Natalie Portman fought back tears of joy when she helped name a baby gorilla in Rwanda on Saturday (30Jun07).

The Stars Wars star joined a string of celebrities and U.S. conservationist Jack Hanna for the ceremony in a wildlife park, where 23 newborn mountain gorillas born in the wild were named.

Portman named her ape Ahazaza, which means future in the native language.

One gorilla was named for late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, who was killed in September (06) by a stingray while filming a documentary in the Great Barrier Reef.

Irwin's former manager John Stainton, who was present, admits he was planning a trip to Rwanda with Irwin when the conservationist lost his life.

Stainton said, "I was going to come with him to see the mountain gorillas but unfortunately that wasn't possible due to the tragedy that befell him last year."

Rwanda tourism director-general Rosette Rugamba said the Irwin tribute was important: "We have every good reason to honor Irwin because of his enormous contribution towards wildlife."