Pitifully Poorly Baby Monkey: Mommy Really Doesn’t Know How to Take Care of Baby
In the wild, motherhood is often instinctive, but sadly, that’s not always the case. A pitifully poorly baby monkey recently drew attention due to the heartbreaking condition it was found in—thin, weak, and clearly malnourished. Observers soon realized the issue wasn’t just illness or injury. The baby’s mother simply did not know how to care for her infant properly. It was a tragic sight that touched many hearts.
This young monkey mother, likely having her first baby, appeared confused and overwhelmed. She lacked the maternal instincts and skills needed to nurture her newborn. Instead of nursing and grooming the baby, she would leave it unattended, even dragging it roughly at times. The baby, too fragile to fend for itself, became visibly weaker each day.
Experts say that in both wild and captive environments, young primate mothers can sometimes fail in their caregiving if they haven’t had the opportunity to learn from older, more experienced females. In social species like monkeys, motherhood is often a learned behavior. When young females are separated too early or raised without the presence of maternal role models, they may not develop the instincts necessary to raise healthy offspring.
In this case, intervention became essential. Caregivers at the sanctuary decided to temporarily separate the baby to provide it with immediate medical attention and nourishment. The goal, however, is not to permanently remove the baby, but to help educate and support the mother so she can eventually resume her role safely and confidently.
This touching story highlights the importance of family structures and learned behavior in animal development. It’s a sobering reminder that love alone isn’t always enough—sometimes, mothers, human or animal, need help learning how to care.
