Animals are a wonderful, fascinating thing. We find it pretty astonishing the way they tend to interact with humans. Some of them get super fearful, others get violent. Then there are those animals who just feel completely comfortable and normal with other animals. But what about when animals interact with one another? Some of us find it hard to believe, but it’s more incredible to see that when they interact with humans. If you don’t believe me, meet Calaya.
Calaya is a gorilla residing at the Smithsonian National Zoo. DailyMail UK reports that the zoo had taken photos and videos of this gorilla mom meeting her newborn baby for the very first time. She’s a first-time mother that gave birth to a baby boy named Moke (Pronounced mo-KEY). The two are western lowland gorillas. This birth was a fairly big deal. It was the first nine years to take place at the zoo, according to DailyMail.
These zoo officials had captured this special moment that was shared on their website and around social media on Monday morning. The zoo went on their Twitter, writing, “We’re thrilled to share [that our] western lowland gorilla Calaya gave birth to a male at 6:25 p.m. 4/15. His name, Moke, means “junior” or “little one” in the Lingala language”. They continued, tweeting: “Keepers reports that Calaya has been caring for her infant & are optimistic he will thrive. #GorillaStory”.
DailyMail reports that this adorable baby was bred last summer by 15-year-old mom Calaya and 26-year-old father Baraka. This mother is extremely caring and it’s just so remarkable to see. It’s so human-like watching the video down below. I guess it doesn’t matter what species you are, once you become a mother, your instincts just start kicking in really quickly.
In the video, you see the mother holding onto her baby while staring at him with the look of just pure love and joy. As she looks at Moke, she gently kisses him and admires him as he is so close to her chest.
Honestly, anyone who watches this video just sees pure love, something that this world so desperately needs. But also, the birth of this gorilla is more than just an adorable moment for people to see. It means something far bigger. This gorilla species happens to be a critically endangered species.
According to DailyMail, the zoo noted on their website, “The birth of this western lowland gorilla is very special and significant, not only to our Zoo family but also to this critically endangered species as a whole”. They continued, saying, “The primate team’s goal was to set Calaya up for success as best we could, given that she is a first-time mother”.
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