Dublin Zoo has recently embarked on an innovative and heartwarming initiative aimed at teaching one of their orangutans, Mujur, how to care for her newborn. This effort stems from the concern over the critically endangered species as her last two infants did not survive due to her lack of maternal instincts.
After Mujur, the 19-year-old orangutan, gave birth to her latest baby on July 31, 2024, zookeepers were determined to help her learn how to bond and feed her child. The animal care team had previously witnessed her struggle to breastfeed her two earlier offspring from 2019 and 2022, leading to their untimely deaths.
Recognizing the importance of this latest birth, particularly due to the genetic significance of her baby, the zoo decided to implement the breastfeeding workshops as part of their strategy. Lizzie Reeves, a midwife and lactation consultant from the National Maternity Hospital, helped coordinate the effort by inviting around 30 local mothers to participate.
Each mother took turns breastfeeding their infants just outside Mujur's enclosure, separated by glass. The idea was to provide Mujur with real-life examples of nurturing, as she would be watching enthusiastic mothers tending to their babies.
The response from the orangutan was encouraging, as she displayed significant interest, often mimicking the actions of the women feeding their babies. Many mothers even removed their shirts to provide Mujur with the most precise visual of how breastfeeding is done, striving to create the best teaching environment.
Volunteer Nora Murphy, who brought her 10-month-old daughter Elodi to the sessions, expressed how meaningful the experience was. "You find yourself rooting for Mujur... you would be talking to her, saying, ‘Look, this is what you are meant to do,’" Murphy shared.
While these sessions brought some positive signs, zoo officials reported Mujur struggled with positioning her baby correctly for breastfeeding. They were initially hopeful after seeing her exhibit good maternal care following the birth, but the challenges remained apparent.
Despite the efforts, it became clear the situation wasn't improving, leading to what the zoo described as "a difficult decision" to separate Mujur from her baby. They opted for bottle feeding, intending to provide care until the infant could be transferred to specialist care at Monkey World, known for raising orangutans.
The separation is part of the broader commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome for the baby orangutan, whose lineage is significant, as Sibu, his father and the zoo’s patriarch, passed away earlier this year. The management at Dublin Zoo expressed the emotional toll this decision has taken on the staff, who have grown attached to the newborn.
Orangutans are classified as critically endangered, and effective maternal care is imperative for the survival of the species. Through these workshops and dedicated efforts, Dublin Zoo hopes to nurture both the knowledge of animal care among human volunteers and the wellbeing of the young orangutan.
The outcome of this remarkable initiative ties directly back to the zoo's commitment to conservation and the continuation of endangered species like the Orangutan. Experts and caretakers aim to find new ways to bridge the gap between human assistance and animal instincts through shared experiences.
