ANIMALS
Lonely Orangutan Mom Sees Zookeeper Breastfeeding, Triggers Motherhood Instincts Unexpectedly
Not everyone is automatically good at being a mom. Even if someone doesn’t have a built-in motherly instinct, they can still be a great parent. For people, there are lots of helpful guides for new moms.
But in the animal world, those who aren’t born with this instinct have to learn how to take care of their little ones. Keep reading to see an example of this!
Zoe didn’t feel like a mom right away.
At the zoo, when Zoe, an orangutan, struggled with being a mom, zookeepers saw that they needed to step in.
Since Zoe had trouble nursing her first baby, the staff wanted to make sure things went better with her second one. They got in touch with Whitlee Turner, a zookeeper who is also a new mom, for help. Without any hesitation, Whitlee agreed to assist Zoe in figuring out how to breastfeed.
Whitlee was happy to help out. In this unique teamwork, Whitlee, along with her baby Caleb, joined Zoe in the orangutan indoor area. The goal was for the experienced mom to guide Zoe in taking care of her own newborn.
Zoe never had the chance to learn how to be a mom because she lost her own mother when she was just 9 months old. Whitlee was determined to lend a hand and share her motherhood know-how with the orangutan.
So, Zoe began picking up lessons from a mom.
Whitlee, in her breastfeeding bra, showed Zoe how to take care of a newborn. Zoe got to watch and learn about all the careful steps involved in looking after a baby.
Whitlee said, “I just had my breastfeeding bra and was able to show her everything with zero modesty.”
“I wanted her to be able to see the whole process because orangutans don’t wear shirts. I wanted her to see my breasts, see Caleb, and be able to see him rooting and hungry. She could see where the baby was supposed to be held,” she added.
While Zoe was first curious and watched the demonstration with interest, it took another day for her to successfully breastfeed her baby.
Hard work and dedication always lead to success.
To help Zoe become a better mom, the zookeepers at the Indianapolis Zoo went the extra mile. They put a TV in her space and played videos over and over showing orangutans having babies and taking care of their little ones. This creative idea was meant to boost Zoe’s learning, letting her see how other orangutan moms handle motherhood.
The touching tale of Whitlee and Zoe’s special connection reminds us how important it is to show kindness and take good care of animals in zoos.
Zookeepers’ commitment, along with creative approaches, can overcome unexpected hurdles and help animals develop their natural instincts.
Zoe successfully breastfeeding her baby not only shows the strength of empathy and understanding but also highlights the deep connections that can form between different types of animals.
It’s a heartwarming example of shared experiences that go beyond our differences, teaching us valuable lessons from one another.
