At Dublin Zoo, something unusual happened recently: 30 moms came together to teach a Bornean orangutan named Mujur how to feed her newborn. Mujur, a 19-year-old orangutan, had lost two babies before, struggling to care for them. With Bornean orangutans being critically endangered, every infant matters for the survival of the species.
This time, the zoo brought in a group of breastfeeding moms, hoping they could show Mujur what she needed to do. The moms, led by Lizzie Reeves, didn’t hesitate to remove their tops, giving Mujur a clear view of how they fed their babies. Nora Murphy, one of the mothers, shared how focused Mujur was, watching every move closely. Over time, Mujur even started hand-expressing, an encouraging sign for everyone involved.
Bornean orangutans are known for breastfeeding their young for up to 8 years, a long process that helps the babies grow strong in the tough environment of the rainforest. This long bond between mother and baby is crucial to their survival.
While many people were touched by this unique moment, some raised concerns about keeping such animals in captivity. Critics pointed out that the stress of separation might have led to Mujur’s earlier losses, but this experiment showed the deep connections that can form between humans and animals, especially through shared experiences like motherhood.
Mujur may have more babies in the future, and the lessons from this moment could help her—and other orangutan mothers in zoos—give their babies a better chance at life.
Article Source: Bored Panda
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