By Josie April 25th, 2024
Staff from Sedgwick Zoo captured the beautiful moment when their new baby chimpanzee was reunited with its mother after a 2-day-long separation.
Here are the details:
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.
Mahale tentatively approaching a pile of blankets, and 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.
As seen in the video, chimpanzees form close connections to their friends and family, much like we humans.