Although most wildlife species tend to be overprotective when giving birth to their babies, only a few species do the same with other animals besides their own.
Only some mothers can put down hostility and adopt other female’s children. Chimpanzees are definitely among them.
Maisie, a sweet chimpanzee, found herself after her mother left her shortly after giving birth. The chimpanzee was born at the Oklahoma City Zoo a few months ago.
However, because her biological mother did not take care of her properly, she was taken to the Maryland Zoo, hoping that the chimpanzees living here would take care of her.
Judy McAuliffe, curator of primates at the Houston Zoo and Chief of the SSP Chimp Program, was motivated for this decision: “It’s essential for chimpanzees to be raised by their own species.
“As humans, we cannot give a newborn chimpanzee all it needs to develop into a well-functioning member of a group.
The Maryland Zoo has had great success introducing babies to foster mothers, who can raise them as part of an integrated group… what’s best for the child. ”
Fortunately, the odds quickly turned in Maisie’s favor as soon as she arrived at the Maryland Zoo. One of the females – the mother of a one-year-old baby, immediately took the orphaned chimpanzee under her wing.
Although raising two children is complicated work, a girl named Bunny still shows the same affection for Maisie, just as she does for her own baby Lola.
“Bunny interacts with Maisie baby chimpanzees the most than adult chimpanzees,” the zoo wrote on Facebook. “Playing with Lola, napping, and eating from a breeder-provided bottle across the habitat barrier continues to be Maisie’s main activities. Every day is a little different and allows Maisie to learn more about being a chimp.”
On the other hand, Maisie seems to enjoy her new home, and more importantly, it turns out she’s finally found the comfort she’s been looking for. The comfort only a mother can provide. Watch Bunny spend time with Maisie here:
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