Empathetic Zookeeper Guides Orangutan Mother Through Nursing Struggles, Offering Vital Support and Expertise in Maternal Care

An orangutan has finally learned how to nurse her baby after a breastfeeding zookeeper showed her how it was done.

Zoe, a long-term resident at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Moseley, Virginia, had not learned the skill from her own mother after being orphaned at just nine months old.

Her firstborn had to be hand-raised and, after the birth of her second in December, the mom-of-two was still struggling to get to grips with the process.

But Zookeeper Whitlee Turner, who was breastfeeding her own new arrival, decided to step in and gave Zoe a live demonstration – and less than 24 hours later the orangutan was doing it for herself.

Orangutan Zoe has finally learned how to nurse her baby after a breastfeeding zookeeper showed her how it was done

Zookeeper Whitlee Turner, who was breastfeeding her own new arrival, decided to step in and gave Zoe a live demonstration

‘I wanted her to be able to see my breasts and see Caleb and be able to see him rooting and looking for it and the latch.

With my bra down, I was very exaggerated when I put him on so that [Zoe] could see that the baby goes here.

‘The whole time I was talking to her and pointing at her, pointing at the baby, pointing at her breasts.

And less than a day later Zoe had successfully started breastfeeding – much to the delight of her keepers.

Whitlee was asked to nurse baby son Caleb in front of Zoe’s enclosure in a bid to encourage the orangutan to follow suit

Less than a day later Zoe had successfully started breastfeeding – much to the delight of her keepers

The zoo has said that Zoe and her baby, who has yet to be given a name, are both are healthy and bonding well

Reflecting on the process, Whitlee added: ‘I had a really hard time in the beginning as a new mom with my breastfeeding journey.

‘[I] required a lot of guidance and help before we really figured it out. I think it was really special being able to share this with [Zoe] and help her in her journey.

‘Whether it was an orangutan or a human, I just want to be able to help any new mom.’

The zoo has said that Zoe and her baby, who has yet to be given a name, are both are healthy and bonding well.

Orangutans are currently classed as a critically endangered species.

The species has an extremely low reproductive rate which makes their populations highly vulnerable.

Females give birth to one infant at a time about every six to seven years, so it can take a long time to recover from population declines.