First-Time Gorilla Mom Can't Stop Showering Newborn With Kisses

Calaya is a first-time mother at the Smithsonian Zoo who couldn’t stop kissing her newborn right after she gave birth.

[@zookeeper6799]

She is actually clearing his airways, but she is doing that with love.

[@msgottaneedtoknow]

😂 I know- right! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@kumaranvij]

Yes - so many people here seem to think it's either/or. You can see how tenderly she holds him and how fascinated by him she is. It is actually amazing to see how careful and gentle gorillas, such powerful animals, can be.

[@dr.science9505]

She doesknow airways, She is an ape. She loves her baby.

[@MamaMOB]

This is the best way to put it. I think anyway.

[@MamaMOB]

@@dr.science9505 she does know help baby breathe

[@kathryntate6809]

She wasn't "taught" this; she feels it instinctively.

[@carlaneupauer8806]

Agree. Too bad some humans have lost this instinct with their own.

[@kathryntate6809]

@@carlaneupauer8806 I believe life beats it out of them, but they are rare.

[@meganmcgowan5798]

She may have the instinct and know "what" to do, but since she doesn't live in a troop with other members of her kind, she hasn't had the usual experience of seeing other gorilla mothers caring for their little ones. Gorillas are social creatures and they learn from each other so depending on when this mama was brought into captivity or separated from her troop... it's quite possible that she did need some coaching. Instinct isn't the same as skill and confidence. "I know I'm supposed to do this for my baby, but HOW do I do it?"

[@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX]

They learn just the way humans do. As a human you would feel a connection to your child and naturally want to care for and protect it but that doesn't mean you don't need any information on how to do it properly. I wouldn't have known babys are not suppose to lie on their backs or drink water. There are things that are instinktiv and others that have to be passed on by older generations.

[@sashadee7434]

Not always...

[@readytogo3186]

She's cleaning her baby up, not kissing him. Although, she seems more than happy to do it with love! God bless them both!

[@Spiritdove64]

these videos always trying to humanize animals. glad to see these kind of comments

[@lacountess]

“The infant hasn’t left his mother’s side.” As opposed to all other infants who immediately get up and go backpacking as soon as they are born. 😂

[@marciaterry2002]

Oh that's too funny! You got me laughing 🤣😂🤣

[@AmberPanda]

@@marciaterry2002 Me too 😃

[@willnot3297]

She's not kissing him. She's cleaning out the birth residue from its nose and mouth to help him breath better.

[@carinaekstrom1]

She's definitely doing both kissing and cleaning.

[@britegrl03]

It makes her better mother than most.

[@SM-sy5cd]

Will Not yes exactly! Why do humans have to always think we need to teach a animal how to do something, when they know more already?

[@britegrl03]

@@SM-sy5cd I think in a couple of primate documentaries i watched animals in captivity sometimes reject their own babies because they arent in proximity to others like them who can demonstrate the whole "mothering" concept etc...

[@georgina919]

@@SM-sy5cd year but we add a little to what they already know.there are certain things that humans only do that sometimes we feel like teaching them

[@MatchaTheVibeking]

Whether its actually kissing, or if she's just cleaning him, the level of tenderness and gentleness from this powerful beast is still beautiful Edit: Holy shit, lotta people on some high-ass horses in the replies here. Just to clarify for all the slower/self-righteous people that read this, I mean "beast" as a large, powerful creature capable of great harm. Yes, we all know that humans are shit and animals are good beings with souls and lives that matter, and you are a very good person for having those opinions.

[@maestasify]

Not a beast, but a being.

[@MatchaTheVibeking]

@@maestasify Nah its definitely a beast. Every beast is a being. Humans are beasts too. but I guess you can say being if that somehow makes you feel better about it

[@anonymiss495]

A noble beast as opposed to a savage human one

[@CommanderCodyChipless]

A beast is actually defined as four footed large animals or farm-animals. An "ape" is what a gorilla is, not a beast. And humans are no where near beasts. Were the only animals who evolved to shed off hair and grow a bigger brain and develop an anomaly called consciousness

[@razm.3135]

😭🥰

[@Frenchylikeshikes]

The care in the way she handles her baby, is incredible.

[@aichastern]

I love how she holds his head for support. So sweet. So human

[@screechingwind114]

Yes human mommas who do this are very Sweet and Ape-like. Chicken or the Egg came first ?

[@YizzleBerry]

It’s crazy to hear ppl say “zoo staff are ALLOWING the two time to bond” 🙄 Smh the absolute arrogance of humans 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@manifestmyreality2025]

sickening

[@MiaEZ]

UNNATURAL beings who have exploited Mother Earth and her inhabitants YOUR TIME IS UP!

[@denisedspain7991]

I’m sure the only reason they have this gorilla is because she had no mother or some other reason other then just grabbing her out it the jungle. What do you expect them to do with her. Maybe people need to stop helping wildlife and leave them to be killed or starve. I guess that would be better in your mind.

[@lottolucky5467]

Allowing!

[@peacelove3817]

@@denisedspain7991 You’re way off on what these people are upset about! The choice of words this woman used which indicated “the child will eventually be taken away from it’s Mother” for whatever reason?? That is what rose eyebrows/alarm bells to sensitive ears whom are not sure what she meant by that??

[@andreahill01]

“The zoo staff are allowing the mom to bond with her son” that statement right there is exactly why I don’t agree with animals being held in captivity unless they are on the brink of being extinct.

[@celestebivin1659]

Which gorillas are.

[@andreahill01]

@@celestebivin1659 exactly why I said “unless they’re on the brink of being extinct” if you’d read. Regardless, that statement was ridiculous. They shouldn’t be “allowed” time, we’re not.

[@XxPeaceNinjaxX]

@@andreahill01 Considering maternal leave is a joke in the US i'd say the gorilla has it alright

[@andreahill01]

@@XxPeaceNinjaxX this country needs to do better🤦🏾‍♀️

[@joelara3283]

Good point

[@TanyaQueen182]

As adorable as this is, I think she's clearing the baby's airways. But in my opinion, that shows her love more than any amount of kisses ever could.

[@jeosabb7993]

Chris Hansen Take a seat

[@SamplingPercussion]

Do you just read previous comments and then pretend they're yours? Add some more gibberish and then take all the credit?? Yeah you're one of those posers.

[@RealEllenDeGeneres]

Hate to burst your bubble, but kissing also has a functional purpose of sharing germs to build immunities.

[@kaycampbell8532]

It's so precious how lovingly she holds her baby.

[@laurenriggs3771]

"It looks like she picks up fast" Oh you mean instincts? 🙄

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

Lauren Riggs: I don't know anything about gorillas, but how normal a life has this gorilla had? To what extent is gorilla mothering instinctual? Don't pandas sometimes sit on their babies and suffocate them accidentally, for example? How many other gorilla mothers has this gorilla seen taking care of their offspring, seeing as how she lives in a zoo? My guess is they showed her film of other gorilla mothers and thusly "taught" her.

[@kaydenlewis9246]

@@gnirolnamlerf593 I'm sorry but pandas are just really fucking stupid, they would be extinct of humans didnt intervene

[@kalwincalep2822]

@@gnirolnamlerf593 it’s natural instincts that gorillas are born with.

[@minkz4097]

Not everything is instinctual. Just like in humans, many primates females learn from their mothers and other females how to take care of infants. When primates are orphans in sanctuaries or places like that, their human caretakers have to teach them what they would have learned from their mothers.

[@xenophanes1598]

@@gnirolnamlerf593 "Mothering" IS instictual and oxytocin is the hormone behind it. The fact that some mothers kill/hurt their infants is because they are not in normal situations (living under stress, not in their habitat, not with their kind, not raised by their own mothers, etc). The "mothering" instinct is the strongest instict in most mammals. Showing a female mammal a movie on "mothering" won't make them love their infants any more, if so we wouldn't need the CPS.

[@nataliafoxxx5011]

She’s just cleaning him off and stimulating him to breathe. But she is so gentle with him. See how she’s even holding his head and neck. And she sets him down to gently. It’s really sweet to see.

[@sm3thy71]

your mums really sweet to see

[@katheodenweller2292]

Even the male gorillas are extremely gentle and loving with the babies in the troops.

[@ltyrell405]

Absolutely, she looks like a wonderful loving mother entranced by her beautiful newborn, just as it should be :)

[@ltyrell405]

@@katheodenweller2292 Yes! I've been watching the Kyoto Zoo gorilla family, the huge, powerful silverback is so gentle with the baby of the family it's lovely to watch, he could just flick the little thing over the zoo walls for a home run so easily!

[@kathleenevans1201]

This is a very handsome infant!

[@nicolette0266]

Mama is so gentle with the baby. Look how she cradles the baby's head. This is a mother loving and caring for HER baby.♥️♥️♥️

[@chanelwaldorf9728]

Absolutely beautiful…holding her baby, cleaning her baby, kissing her baby, with so much love and tenderness. This is the pure magnificence and magic of motherhood. ❤

[@steviecongo]

"Training her in mother skills" "Allowing her to bond" As if they haven't already survived millions of years of evolution. Sometimes people piss me off

[@discodirk48]

We were created by God's.

[@Doplev]

If she was snatched from the wild, she might not have learned these skills from her mother. A wild gorilla will know how to mother if she grew up with normal family ties

[@steviecongo]

@@Doplev Good point. We're still detrimental to them either way.

[@livableincome]

I wasn't going to comment because I was so bugged. Pleased to see so many commentators share my views. We humans are such jerks it just blows me away. Gorillas belong in their own homes and humans need to leave them be.

[@dennistaylor5052]

Must be Democrats, they think they know best, in reality they don't know Shit from Shine"O"La( that's floor wax) the only thing Dems are good at is "Lying and stealing" and Screwing The American People. And biden wasn't elected to "Shit" and he ain't President of "Shit"...just say'n

[@lanaanynamewilldo217]

I love how the humans believe they actually taught "parenting skills" to the Mama'rilla. *maniacal laughter ensues*

[@misst.e.a.187]

Mama'rilla. Love it😂

[@Chalkaspis]

True. Some people live in their own world!

[@manifestmyreality2025]

thats exactly what I said I bet those gorillas could probably teach us, humans, a lot more

[@lanaanynamewilldo217]

@@misst.e.a.187 Thank you! *attempts a curtsy*

[@theartsyzoologist]

@@tygersflowerz Yes Gorillas do rely on learning and direction from other gorillas in their troops, Calaya had been present during her own mother’s birth of her sibling many years ago so she would have learned then too, but for the most part, mothering is typically instinct amongst wild animals as it is us, for example, nobody is going to teach a lioness how to suckle, nurture or protect her Cubs, neither do we teach lions to form the complex crèche system they instinctively know or understand within the pride. Likewise Gorillas are very intelligent, to the point they form and create their own tools or bedding in trees to keep infants safe above the ground and sheltered from rain...we don’t teach them that either, they just know. In all honesty animals don’t really learn too much from us, in fact there are likely many mothers that could learn from animals themselves. So yeah animals don’t acquire or require much from us really.

[@laurafedora5385]

Animals are incredible. How gently she hold her baby, what a good momma.

[@darkliasons]

OMG..So beautiful. For people who believe animals are void of emotions, I say watch this. The mother is so so careful in how she handles and holds her baby. Thank you for sharing, Audacy.

[@cuddlesbear9020]

😂😂😂😂they taught her how to love her own child?! Humans trying to portray themselves as demi gods

[@noqahelisi8259]

deciding to kill an unborn child is the epitome of being a demi-god ....i'll bet you support abortion. your stupid.

[@noqahelisi8259]

@Odessa C. Armstrong deciding an unborn child does not have the right to live is being a demi-god....you support abortion is my guess.

[@Eblis840]

In our defense we are.

[@Eblis840]

@@noqahelisi8259 no one's even mentioned abortion?

[@pablomuzzobar8940]

You don't know if they didn't, many apes kill their offspring.

[@edgarrett8822]

Since when did humans need to teach animals to care for their offspring?

[@emilyrose9854]

I believe they said the mother was orphaned and probably didn't have a family group to take her in and sure had a baby gorilla and being in captivity is very stressful and again abandonment along with captivity shows higher rates of rejected offsprings for these kinds of animals especially Instinct only plays 1/3 of Parental mentality

[@dianerathgeber9361]

Ed Garrett What I was thinking too. From what I see today, it’s animals that could teach humans how to care for their babies. Lot’s of kids out of control and lacking in basic skills. Time to take responsibility for the mess the kids have made.

[@edgarrett8822]

@@dianerathgeber9361 Amen.

[@anaherrera7177]

@@dianerathgeber9361 yes

[@melbags9789]

@@emilyrose9854 I couldn't agree more. Truth!! 👍👊

[@sarahgivens7633]

The way she looks at the baby is the look of motherly love. Beautiful moment ❤

[@annanardo2358]

Precious, Animals NEVER cease to amaze us humans w/ their capacity to love, even when they are different species. This video is precious !!😍😍😍😍

[@dianeelaine]

“Zoo staff are allowing the two time to bond”. Geez, that’s big of them. 🙄

[@sweetpea7455]

Lol

[@FlapjackR]

Doctors sometimes allow human mothers to do the same after they birth their young. How considerate.

[@thoughtfortheday7811]

@@FlapjackR not in the room with the machine that goes "ping". 😀 (Monty Python "Meaning of Life")

[@FlapjackR]

Thought for the Day I wish I knew what you were talking about.

[@thoughtfortheday7811]

@@FlapjackR ah, based on your comment, I made a reply and referenced a scene in a film called "Meaning of Life" by Monty Python. The line I used might be obscure, but you reminded me of it, it is relevant in the context, and very funny. It should be Googleable.

[@lindajohnson9282]

It looks like Mum is kissing her baby but she’s (more precisely) cleaning out airways and providing the baby with an external stimulus to ensure that it’s breathing on it’s own, and it helps stimulate circulation. There is obvious care and bonding going on, too. Regardless, it was a lovely sight to behold ❤️

[@Totaro17]

Absolutely correct. But you missed one thing. She is also transferring beneficial bacteria as well as germs. Witch helps to strengthen the baby’s immune system.

[@ladraode9dedos409]

Absolutely!

[@Jeremy_the_unfallible_n-a]

thats what i was thinking too

[@lindajohnson9282]

@Ralph Reilly, I apologise for not having sifted through all the other comments that came before mine and thoughtlessly made a snap decision to add a spontaneous comment, based on the knowledge that I paid considerable money for. I also apologise for not having all the time in the world to read every comment that comes before mine on any of the content I watch… I just don’t have that much time. Nor do I have the time, or want, to make a federal case over something so inconsequential that no-one else bothered to try and make me feel backward for saying something reasonable, if not original. I hope you won’t fail me for my indiscretion 🤣

[@uhjeff3651]

Beautiful indeed. But I fear when the little girl grows up that she will be so vulnerable to police brutality. Stand with our black brothers and sisters. #BLM

[@wandarask8444]

She already knows what to do when it's comes to love , tenderness and more long before the staff came along . Thanks for sharing footage.

[@susan1098]

Awe That’s so beautiful!! Definitely a hallmark moment

[@LalasKitchenCo]

Gorilla mom is tenderly CLEANING her baby not kissing him.

[@jehjey7626]

People are stupid.

[@KAYKWILL]

Lourdes How do you know...apes do mimic people! My friend had a pet chimp who used to give "kissy"

[@jaydolan9603]

Ok calm down.

[@RaeBehrs]

@@KAYKWILL you can see her suction the mucous out of his airway. This is instinctual in all mothers if presented with a situation in which a newborn is having trouble breathing. Western society is just so used to having their baby "delivered" from them by someone else, suctioned, bathed, measured, and swaddled before they get to hold their infant. Nature works much better. Immediate skin to skin with newborn on mommy's tummy face down so baby can most likely clear their own airway and then find the way to the breast is best both physically and mentally for both mother and child.

[@aquariousenigma70]

You get more views saying it that way....vs, gorilla cleans baby

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

"He hasn't left his mom's side." Where is he gonna go? 🙄 The woman doing the voice over is making some truly idiotic statements.

[@sugoiiibeats]

How? It’s just a simple fact. Quit being so sensitive geez

[@gillianbrookwell1678]

Some of these interviewers do make stupid statements in videos because they don't know what to say most of the time.

[@swissmaid]

Totally agree. This is how they twist a story! Unbelievable!

[@hilaryc3203]

Peggy, a lot of families show these videos to their small children, so the narrative keeps that in mind.

[@darklin333]

And it’s still attached to the cord ..I feel insulted by the stupid commentary.

[@nanette6175]

Il y a tellement de douceur et de tendresse dans les gestes de cette maman que je trouve ce moment très émouvant. Beaucoup d’humains devraient suivre son exemple ❤

[@tabbycat6458]

It's amazing how she's holding the baby just like we do.... so precious

[@truthspeaker5118]

I kinda got mad when they said they are letting her bond with her baby smh that’s her baby leave it with her

[@allycookie2009]

I think they just meant that they aren't entering her cage for awhile.

[@mishmashmosh6305]

No I think they sometimes take the babies away to ensure they survive. Coco was taken away from her mother

[@kathryncastanares525]

Yea, it makes me sick to see how the staff are always taking babies away from the mothers to "make sure the baby survives" etc. And I hate to see them stressing the mothers out to take the babies away for 'med checks" and to daunt over and hold/play with baby as if its theirs. They then give the mothers 'visitation ' time which is just awful. They come up with all excuses they can to take babies away. Its ridiculous. I hope that's not what they're doing here.

[@TaylordSpirit]

Um... The same thing happens in the hospital to hoomans. A little time to bond before they take, clean, and check the babies. ESPECIALLY if underweight or any other medical condition a newborn could have. The difference is we learn to bring our children in to be checked yearly or semi- annually. Thank goodness for doctors and vets!

[@lillyflower3415]

They "let her bond" with baby before leaving her unsupervised with it because they'll sometimes reject their baby after its born. They also need to examine the baby for medical issues after birth like human babies. The period of time that mother and baby are actually separated isn't long term and she'll be allowed to care for him once they know she won't reject/injure him. I generally disagree with zoos as well but this specifically isn't a problem.

[@kimberlysweat7703]

Ok get the caption right she's cleaning the baby.....but it's still very sweet and she's being so gentle

[@shawnagreen5866]

I was about to say the same Thing.. People get sucked in by captions and editing.. Making things not as they really are.. Your so right tho.. This is so sweet to watch how gentle new mommies can be.. Now to get humans to learn from animals.. Seems like the animals these days are the humans..

[@lizallcote7808]

Was thinking the same thing, it's so obvious that she's cleaning her baby not kissing it, but none the less, she looks like she's giving her baby plenty of love and she's being very gentle, so beautiful to watch x

[@Mscross]

So what!

[@user-ck9lm6xi1o]

Tbf, it’s very possible that these kinds of grooming behaviors are the origin of human expressions of affection like kissing one’s child. Not to mention that there does indeed seem to be some kind of affection the mother has for her young, even if she doesn’t conceive of it the same way a human mother thinks of its baby.

[@Mscross]

@@user-ck9lm6xi1o I totally agree.

[@jenniferquackenbush7458]

What a wonderful first-time mom! Her son is so lucky to have such a doting mommy! 🥰

[@ericahiebert4508]

How sweet! I remember the first baby I had...it was the most wonderful moment...but every time is amazing...holding a newborn in your arms...seeing this beautiful little creation that was made inside of you, and knowing that nothing matters more than them.

[@TabIsrael]

I hate how humans think we have to “teach” animals how to take care of their babies 😂 it’s like we think we understand them better than they understand themselves

[@todo8328]

As if they haven’t *been* here

[@dawnatkinson7704]

Presumably this is an animal that was brought up in captivity and so wasn't given the usual tips picked up in the wild.

[@chelseaaneke]

You do have to teach Pandas tho lol

[@rothelfachmd134]

SAME!!! 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️ I agree with you

[@emmawieson2121]

Sometimes we do. My uncle owns horses. A lot of first time mamas don't get it and either reject or recoil in uneasiness from their babies. He has to coax them Into nursing and he's not always successful. If mom refuses to nurse her baby or worse, starts scraping her hooves at it, he has to remove the foal. If mom doesn't kill it, it would starve anyway. Cats are the same way. It's not uncommon for first time mother's to abandon their litters well before it's time. My own cat did this with her litter before I got her.

[@karenlee3372]

When my daughter was a baby we went to the Buffalo zoo.. they had a mother gorilla and a baby.. is she kept hitting at the safety glass.. I picked my baby up I showed her to the mother gorilla and she showed me her child.. it was the most beautiful moment ever.. two mothers showing off their children.. one of the caretakers asked what are you doing .I said she is showing me her child and I am showing her my child..

[@Remedi88]

❤🤗🥰

[@Remedi88]

❤🤗🥰

[@phylliseich2992]

It is so cool to hear this story from someone else! When my son was about 18 months old, we went to the Michigan City zoo, and I had the same exact experience! The mother gorilla saw me looking at her baby as I held mine up so he could see. She came right over to the fence and sat down and started gesturing towards my baby, then gesturing towards hers. She very proudly held him up so I could get a better view, and I did the same with mine. She seemed very interested and curious about my baby, and kept looking back and forth between the two of them, almost like she was comparing them. By this time we had drawn a bit of a crowd and people were taking pictures. I also noticed the people were all very quiet murmuring softly so as not to startle her. It was magical, everyone felt the connection happening and no one wanted be the one to shatter it. It truly is one of those moments you never forget, and I’m really tickled it happened to someone else too.

[@karenlee3372]

@@phylliseich2992 it is a beautiful sensation..

[@hadenanderson563]

There was a gorilla in a Florida zoo who loved to smoke cigarettes.

[@kyleMcQuinn90]

"The zoo is alowing them time to bond" oh how nice of there captors lol

[@Luceforall]

Whatever prompted her behaviour, one cannot deny the level of care and attention the gorilla shows - marvellous!

[@GradKat]

How gently she holds her baby! It’s beautiful to see.

[@lisamoolman719]

Humans "taught" the gorilla mothering skills... Maybe some 'humans' could learn a thing or two about mothering skills from this beautiful mommy!

[@laurieann906]

Yes!!!! Absolutely!!!!

[@dave-yp7tw]

No doubt about it.

[@drewpeacock2762]

Those are trained professionals, not ronda from the trailer park

[@Nevverhrrt]

To be fair I know that some rescued animals that may have been taken from their mother at a young age (by poaching or trafficking) don't know how to care for their own babies because they themselves were robbed of that experience, so they need to be taught how to not harm their baby on accident and provide what they're supposed to. This mama sure looks like a natural though :)

[@jacquelineithell307]

@@laurieann906 TOTALLY AGREE 👍 JACKIE

[@williamssharon3908]

She's a better mom than some humans! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@GiovanniSpruzzatinia]

Humans "think" they taught her.😏I can assure them they could have saved their time..this type of motherly love and instinct cannot be taught or even mimicked..these gorillas are AMAZING moms!!! What a beautiful mama and precious baby...this one got me misty eyed😪😪

[@jenniebugs1]

Trust humans to translate everything according to THEIR emotions. This mum gorilla has her own emotions, and it’s not because humans ‘taught’ her! How do you think gorilla mums in the wild have managed to nurture their babies without human lessons on ‘kissing’? They managed quite well without us, thank you very much!

[@chocolategilfordgilford4651]

Thank u

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

RIGHT THERE

[@erichalim]

Yes I'm thinking the same

[@flossyfromvermont3264]

Yuo. That's what I was thinking

[@TheOrientalNightFish]

Well said!

[@flossyfromvermont3264]

So cute. I'm pretty sure she didn't need to be taught by humans how to love her baby.

[@doZerBoy]

Unfortunately some animals in captivity do need help as they lose some of their natural instincts but I understand what you're saying....If anything animals need to teach humans a thing or 2 about real unconditional love

[@readylikepastortroy_-petti420]

They were saying doing stuff we do.... verses doing what they do... Not necessarily love ....just in general.....

[@inspectorspinda]

@@doZerBoy idk about that but they say she's a first time mom. wild animals sometimes don't know what to do their first time and their babies die. especially if they're an animal with a long enough lifespan to have multiple litters of young than need a lot of care.

[@doZerBoy]

@@inspectorspinda Idk about that

[@patrycjadreemer3003]

I'd say humans could learn more from her

[@sarahchan-reeves8829]

You can teach anyone, humans or otherwise to be a Mother, but can't teach them to be a Mama (or a Papa). That's something that's inside, something instinctual, something buried with in most of us but not all of us. This Mama has it & it's so gorgeous to watch 👌🏻🦍🥰💕💕

[@tracytreadway6064]

Gorillas are so wonderful with their babies. If only human moms could all be so loving.

[@Sam-on5dn]

People want animals to be human so bad, lmao. They “taught” a creature with instincts how to take care of their newborn? omg 😂😂🙄

[@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX]

Actually yes. They learn from copying others just like humans do. We are closely relatet. There are things that are instinktive (as with humans) but there are others that have to be passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes gorillas can become orphans and the gorillas that grow up without a family have to be taught be the Zoo Staff and made sure that they have contact to other gorillas they can learn from. Apes that are held in captivity can develop human like mannerisms and not be able to go back to the jungle if they are not taught how to fully behave like a gorilla.

[@XEveryoneLovesEmilyX]

@Malady Laughslast Why not both?

[@stacys8729]

Gorillas learn like humans learn, through observation and experience. An infant gorilla is less likely to survive with a first time mother vs a mother with more experience. So they were simply showing her the skills beforehand to increase the infants chances of survival. Of course instinct is involved, but so is having experience.

[@coryefird9355]

Yeah you definitely know better than the zoo-keepers.

[@Ransomhandsome]

Anthropomorphic

[@jennie2921]

I don't care what she's doing, cleaning or kissing. It's beautiful. She's so gentle. Good girl, mom.

[@americansoldier2530]

I don't care what y'all "national geographic 'experts'" say. This was a beautiful and loving display of a mother's love for her brand new baby.

[@amh7427]

How beautiful is this. What a great Mom. 🥰💗

[@stormysocks]

Shes actually cleaning him but her love is palpable

[@helenver3872]

The arrogance of some is beyond anything. "They" tought this mother how to love and nurture her newborn? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????

[@miameow4833]

*taught. Yeah, they're so ridiculous. LMAO. Wonder if they teach lions to lick their cubs butt too by example.

[@MiaEZ]

Freaking entitled nuisances times up!

[@sandraklein2651]

Written sooo well. Thank you!!👍😁

[@kaywess1738]

Lol I didn't pay it much attention when she said that because I was really fascinated with the images. But, thank you for pointing that out. That's arrogant of them to think that.

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

They're full of themselves, aren't they?

[@tamalacoulter]

Their more affectionate than human beings. So Beautiful.❤

[@hollykane4000]

I love how the one keeper said “Good job Ms Galyia”

[@aquariuslady8277]

I don't think you have to teach these animals how to mother and show love. It comes naturally.

[@daughteroftheking2979]

Because humans. That's why. They can't just let the animals be.

[@jaxr2958]

Most mammals will have learnt behavior from their community and education can certainly enhance instints. If they've help give her a headstart good for them and her and baby.

[@rhondawilliams5859]

Aquarius lady, Yes!!!! You are so right!!!!

[@christymack628]

Thank you!!!!! Now I don't have to leave a comment. Man want to take credit for everything!! Yah (GOD) created them just like he created us!!!!

[@artbaugh3]

Aquarius Lady I am not sure of that. Look at all the abuse human females perpetuate on their offspring.

[@MrFerrell55]

Glad everyone knows that she's just cleaning him.

[@amistenson2535]

Right! Glad we don’t have to!

[@theempresstarot374]

😭😭😭😭I was just saying the same thing oh my God I’m in tears

[@oOIIIMIIIOo]

Or she is checking him out, like toddlers do with stuff.

[@kenyalima_]

@@oOIIIMIIIOo m

[@AggressiveBeagle]

She was obviously molesting her child! Disgusting! Now we know where humans got it from!

[@bxchicc7799]

I love this so much. She didn't have to be taught because it comes naturally

[@karoonboomie2813]

So delicate, precious how Fur Mama holds her baby then lays him gradually down. So people say animals are not like humans ~ BULLSHIT! They have feelings just like we do they just are more in touch with theirs than humans are!

[@lususlove]

She didn’t learn affection/mother skills from humans, this is ridiculous.

[@wendythomas9361]

Why not? That’s how you learned them? You think you were born knowing how to care for a newborn? How naive.

[@withmandylynn6122]

@@wendythomas9361 humans didn't teach the gorilla, the mother/ parent teaches it. The creature is biologically designed to care for their offspring to ensure the survival of the species. This narrative is manipulating human intervention to portray it as a righteous act & Glorifying humans as if the gorilla(s) wouldn't survive otherwise. It's absurd.

[@deb9784]

Perhaps we as humans could learn a bit about tenderness from this momma gorilla! 💜

[@grannyarbuckle5554]

@@wendythomas9361 you learn by some watching your own mother care for you and your siblings. Your grandparents and other relatives. But a lot of it is instinct that God gives us to Care for our infants. To love our infants. 🕊️🛐📖🙏 show ❤️ like Jesus then if need be 🏹🔫 then victory 🙌🙌

[@DrTiwade]

Absolutely. Someone needs to smack that robot voice over in the face.

[@phyllis_Zee]

She wasn't taught how to love her little one, she always knew how to love it❤️❤️

[@whatsname2649]

She's a better mother than many of the human mothers I see on the NYC subway system.

[@kanegorgeous3046]

She is just doing what a mother is suppose to do give unconditional❤sweet interaction.

[@elenasweden9184]

”Staff is allowing the two to bond” allowing a mother to care for her newborn!? makes my heart break 😪

[@smokeymcpot69]

Lmdo

[@elenasweden9184]

@@smokeymcpot69 laughing my dick off?

[@jaimiesalid3141]

Makes me angry

[@elenasweden9184]

@@jaimiesalid3141 me too!!!

[@janxander6535]

Staff is allowing the two to bond before they do a medical check up on the baby. Then they give the baby back to Mom. Just like human babies and their moms do at the hospital.

[@brookiebrooke3813]

I could care less if shes cleaning him or kissing him....the gentleness melts my heart.

[@mchapman1928]

How gently she cradles his head in her hand. They are magnificent creatures. ❤️

[@shellyhalvorson6884]

Sweetest thing I've ever seen. A mom is a mom.....

[@laykantheealien5722]

*Kissing-Cleaning-Unclogging whatever.. its freaking beautiful*

[@CeltycSparrow]

I love how, despite how large and powerful her hands are, Mommy is cradling her precious newborn and supporting his little head just as tenderly as a human mother would when they are holding a newborn. Even when she is putting him down, she is still so careful to be gentle with him. You can CLEARLY see the mother-love in her expression as she gazes down at her little son.

[@livableincome]

I believe there are many human mothers much bigger than this who still manage to be gentle.

[@irenerobinson5718]

That is so sweet and she was so gentle with him 💗

[@ohhbobba3401]

Aww this brings tears to my eyes, so precious and beautiful. 💞❤💞👣💋🌹

[@blkdiamond7227]

Ooooow zoo staff are “allowing them time to bond”.... how kind of them

[@cielleighton]

"Allowing them time to bond".....the audacity! Who are they to deny it. If humans want to help non humans, leave them alone, leave their habitat alone and stop polluting and over populating the earth.

[@gingerbee6719]

CL I agree w u. 💯% Stupid ass Humans DEF Are overpopulating the earth pushing poor animals to extinction..😭

[@vadamsable]

Amen CL!

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

Say that again please

[@royalbookshopper]

Don't confuse kisses with sucking the amniotic fluid out of his respiratory tract. What followed may be kisses, but rest assured, her first instinct isn't to kiss her baby, it's to make sure he can breathe.

[@shandellraven6781]

She is clearing the babies airway. Making him cry. Nicer than a slap to the butt.

[@daniesza]

This is so sweet and so damn sad how we cage such a beatitful being

[@greenbrain8725]

And she’s holding him like a pro, supporting his head.

[@kaitlynhdz1249]

Omg!!! Yes!! She doesntNEED any help! Animals know what they do! 🥰😍

[@nicolethelineau2392]

tout simplement "instinct maternel"

[@debraderoos5225]

It's so tender and beautiful to watch. Don't touch people. Let them be.

[@ginanovo6285]

i find it really crazy that they know to support the head! cuz humans don't even necessarily know that?!

[@patriciaadams-rl4iz]

How sweet the natural instinct of a mom. She will make a good mom.

[@AK-dj2td]

Truly a loving Mom

[@gonzaloprada9693]

It's beautiful to see so much wonder. Animals are a gift from heaven. An example of motherhood sweetness and so much tenderness

[@Kel15054]

Looks like she just cleaning him.

[@d.will9359]

Kel R yes sister

[@toniaplummer5982]

I saw many of both

[@sequoiahaney8393]

Kel R do what

[@junewaxman3498]

Sequoia Haney 9g

[@angelawilliams9088]

Yea! And that's more than some human mom's do

[@randyhankins6355]

This just makes me feel real happy. That pretty much sums it up. God bless them both.

[@leonoravelascoariza9284]

This is so beautiful and sweet that I am crying with joy !

[@devilscharmangelspray6547]

Awww, how kind of the zoo staff for letting her stay with HER baby.

[@DanielLarsonTheBlackDragon]

i know right? its wonderful 😍

[@wheelie26]

Bloody zoos, they don’t have to get involved at all. I’m sure she was a wonderful mum and would have been without their “teaching”. What are they planning on doing after she’s had time to bond?

[@MissaPality]

I had to chuckle a bit though when the narrator said that the infant hasn't left his mom's side. It's not as if the infant is going to get up and either crawl or walk away. Super amazing to see this though.

[@Jamie_1231]

So many people who have no clue what they’re talking about. When they say allowing mom and baby time to bond, it means they’re in a maternity ward of sorts for gorillas. They are away from potential interruptions or danger members of the troop can cause. The first few days are essential for bonding. Histrionic Troglodytes

[@shucksful]

@@Jamie_1231 Sorry to hear about the hysterectomy….Do you think she’ll be okay? Troglodytes? Is that the disease them monkeys be a getting? That’s a shame if that’s true…..is that true? Lol. (I’m just playing around, man…) Have a good day. 😂

[@buttarain27]

She wasn't really "kissing" the baby, she was cleaning him, clearing the airways, and eating some of the afterbirth (which is known to have nutrients for breast milk). I hate that we always attach human behavior to animals, there's nothing wrong with being an animal.

[@thecoldglassofwatershow]

But humans have done those things too, where do you think the human behavior biologically evolved from? Not out of thin air

[@buttarain27]

@@thecoldglassofwatershow Just further proves my point, so it's not "kissing". Also, I didn't say that those weren't human behaviors, but "showering a newborn with kisses" is NOT animal behavior. Don't twist and take my statement out of context.

[@lainiwakura666]

So much hate in you

[@SofiaBerruxSubs]

@@buttarain27 it is with the apes and monkeys. Not to twist your words

[@emilyashley4820]

But apes do kiss their family members. They are affectionate and playful and more intelligent and aware than many human give them credit for; but you have a right to your opinion.

[@mmaphilosophy]

Beautiful. I cant understand people who disliked this video, unless its because their in captivity

[@Not_convinced]

Motherhood is not a social construct. It’s natural instinct.

[@patf8845]

Zoo staff are ALLOWING the two time to bond???

[@sparkythekid9750]

They are allowing the prisoner time with her child

[@kiahostel8476]

They feel that the environment is safe for the baby, which is not always the case because he mother could have rejected him. They don’t need to remove him from her enclosure for his own safety. That’s what they meant. Y’all are fucking stupid.

[@soniafanari3924]

Yeah that actually pissed me off, allowing the two to bond grrrrr

[@andromedaspark2241]

I volunteered at a zoo a while ago. We had a hippo give birth and bite the baby almost in half. It died. Sometimes they do have to be removed. Maternal instinct doesn't always kick in.

[@KtotheG]

Doesn't that bring the inhumanity of zoos all into focus? That's why I don't patronize them. They are oppressors and jailers.

[@tonyaking7187]

Awww she a better parent then some humans 😁

[@coffeehugger]

Not all animals are great parents, just like not all humans.

[@coffeehugger]

@cynthia houser I don't know too many mothers of my own species that say they ate the slime off their newborn, but whatever! lol!

[@georgina919]

@@coffeehugger lol well some of the animals don't do it.. birds, fish and other animals don't eat the slime off their newborn so i don't think the fact that a gorilla is doing it means humans should do it too. don't forget cat bath with it saliva and humans bath with sponge and soap

[@coffeehugger]

@@georgina919 yes, we bathe with soap and a sponge because we are not like cats and monkeys. :D

[@zicari21]

Tonya King you mean most humans she’s a better mom than most humans

[@3DModelwerks]

A great parent is "being strong enough to be gentle".

[@annabelegan8097]

She isn't showering her with kisses. She is licking off the afterbirth. It helps warm up the baby and get the circulation and breathing going. It's lovely how gentle such a powerful animal can be.

[@Schelby.Lo1]

She's not only cleaning him, she's kissing the baby over and over. She's so soft and so overwhelming loving. It's heart-warming. It's like we all should be. She must be so happy with her little new treasure. 😍😍😍 Pure and true.

[@crystalgonzalez7267]

And idiots say that animals Don’t have feelings . Yes they do ! This is so beautiful!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@terereynolds698]

Isn't it amazing how much she looks human loving on her newborn

[@mckenzielangendorf1437]

“Showering baby with kisses” Gorilla: licks baby’s face And yes, it sounds like from the other comments that she’s actually clearing his airways and it’s still super adorable 😂❤

[@lilys7431]

They way she looked at him was heart melting, they love so purely, wish us humans could.

[@dollynina8992]

Do human mothers not do the same thing😂😂

[@aliward1646]

My heart melted when I had my babies. Think humans do the same.

[@grannyarbuckle5554]

@@aliward1646 yes if you have a heart you do!! If you are not so selfish..!!🕊️🛐📖🙏 show ❤️ like Jesus then if need be 🏹🔫 then victory 🙌🙌

[@devilscharmangelspray6547]

It's a beautiful bond between the mother and the newborn but these zoo staff think they 'taught' her to do that😑

[@morganbarber5009]

Yeah humans give birth and just send the babies to the nursery and complain when they have to take the kid back home with them 🤣🤣🤣😑😑

[@melbae.1124]

Correction: GORILLA MOM IS TEACHING US HUMANS HOW TO LOVE AND TAKE CARE OF A BABY!

[@emmawieson2121]

Double correction: Gorilla mom is being gorilla mom just like human mom's be human mom's. Fixed your fix.

[@melbae.1124]

@@emmawieson2121 thanks Mrs Emma. Triple correction: GORILA MOM IS BEING GORILA MOM JUST LIKE MOST (NOT ALL) HUMANS MOM ARE.

[@emmawieson2121]

@@melbae.1124 My name is Mrs. Wieson, Melba. Show some respect to your elders. And I can live with this correction. It's more accurate than what you had.

[@melbae.1124]

@@emmawieson2121 just because I called you Mrs Emma I irrespect you? Didn't I said thank you also? If you looking for a reason to feel offended there is not shortage in this world. And I am Melba. And even though I'm old I don't feel offended.

[@emmawieson2121]

@@melbae.1124 well, neither am I, lady. I just prefer to be called Mrs. Wieson on account if I kinda despise my first name.

[@fallonstone408]

omg i watched the vid with no sound so i didnt hear the negative stuff that i found in the comments, it was sooooooooo adorable.

[@joanndula93]

This is so Beautiful Animals are alot more loving than People