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A Baby Chimpanzee Is Reunited With Its Mother

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Author Josie Messeter

chimpanzee baby
By Roland - gombe 057, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38735124

This is one truly magic moment. Staff from Sedgwick Zoo captured the beautiful moment when their new baby chimpanzee was reunited with its mother after a 2-day-long separation.

Chimpanzees Develop 'Learned Helplessness' As They Remain in 'Invisible Cage' After Zoo Enclosure Expansion
Sad Chimpanzee via depositphotos.

Initial Separation

Mahale, a resident chimpanzee at the Sedgwick Zoo in Kansas, had to undergo an emergency C-section due to complications during labor. Following the birth, the newly born baby chimpanzee (later named Kucheza) sadly experienced difficulty breathing and required immediate medical attention.

Although the zoo’s staff hated to break them apart, this was absolutely needed for the baby’s survival, seeing as the first few hours are crucial – and a potential life or death situation.

The Reunion

Chimpanzee
Alpha male chimpanzee at Kibale forest National Park. Image via Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The reunion video shows Mahale tentatively approaching a pile of blankets where little Kucheza was placed. As her baby’s tiny hand sticks out, she understands who’s hidden in the blankets. 

She whips up her baby and the moment of reunion really reminds us of how closely related chimpanzees are to us. The way she hugs her baby is just how a human parent would react. 

The Moment That Won’t Leave Any Eyes Dry

YouTube video
“Chimpanzee reunited with newborn baby after nearly 2-day separation”, Source: YouTube, Uploaded: FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth

If you ever questioned the emotional intelligence of chimpanzees, this will change your mind in a second.

Joy, Jealousy and Everything In Between

chimpanzee
Chimpanzee sitting with arms crossed. Image by Anna Roberts via Unsplash.

As seen in the video, chimpanzees form close connections to their friends and family, much like we humans. They’ve been known to express a wide range of emotions, such as intense empathy, grief, joy, anger, and jealousy. 

Being so emotionally intelligent also means that they can suffer from mental health issues – if kept in poor living environments, it’s not uncommon that they become depressed.

Baby Chimpanzee Reunited with Mother: Wrapping Up

Resting chimpanzee portrait.
Resting chimpanzee portrait. Image by jonnysek via Depositphotos.

We are often fascinated by nature for having abilities far beyond hours – but it’s just as fascinating, if not more, when nature mirrors us humans. This chimpanzee mother reacts exactly how a human mother would; it seems maternal powers is a universal language.

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