Arsenal players name baby gorillas in Rwanda

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.