In the lush landscapes of Mogo Wildlife Park, Australia, a touching story unfolded.
A baby gorilla named Kaius faced the brink of death shortly after his birth.
But he found a new lease on life, all thanks to a dedicated zookeeper’s unwavering love and care.
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Kaius’s journey began in October 2022 when he was born to Kipensi, a 10-year-old gorilla, and Kisane, aged 17.
But things took a turn when Kisane, for reasons unknown, took Kaius away from Kipensi just eight hours post-birth.
Chad Staples, the park’s director, speculated:
“Maybe dad just tried to get involved because he saw that there was something wrong with mom.”
This act left Kaius unfed and vulnerable.
The zoo staff intervened when they noticed Kaius’s plight.
After 14 hours in his father’s grasp, the famished infant was given a bottle.
Attempts to reunite him with his mother and grandmother were unsuccessful.
Chad recalled:
“They basically walked straight over to him, looked at him and then walked away.”
The indifference of his family was evident.
But Kaius’s challenges didn’t end there.
He soon developed sepsis pneumonia.
Local doctors were called in, and after intense care, they managed to stabilize the little fighter.
It was then that Chad Staples stepped in as Kaius’s surrogate mother.
For nearly a year, Chad nurtured Kaius in his home within the zoo.
The bond they shared was evident when Chad mentioned how letting Kaius sleep on his chest comforted the baby gorilla, mimicking the warmth and heartbeat he would’ve felt from his biological mother.
With time and care, Kaius began to thrive.
His health improved, and he no longer needed nasal feeding tubes or oxygen lines.
Chad’s routine involved bottle-feeding Kaius every two hours, changing his diapers, and watching him progress from crawling to walking and climbing.
Reflecting on Kaius’s journey, Chad proudly stated:
“He’s blown us away with his will and his strength. He’s just a fighter.”
By August 23, when Kaius was 10 months old, it was time for a significant transition.
He was moved from Chad’s home to a gorilla enclosure.
The aim? To introduce him to his new adoptive mom, G-Anne, an unrelated female gorilla.
This decision was deemed safer than reuniting Kaius with his birth mother.
Chad, who initially had reservations about how G-Anne would react, was pleasantly surprised.
He shared:
“G-Anne made the first move in establishing contact with the baby.”
The bond between the two primates grew, bringing joy to all who witnessed it.
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As Kaius continues to bond with his gorilla family, he will still receive care from the zoo staff.
He hopes to fully integrate with his family before being introduced to visitors.
This heartwarming tale is a testament to the resilience of the animal spirit and the boundless compassion humans can offer.
As Chad fondly remarked about Kaius’s progress, “To get him to this point, it certainly makes me smile.”
Click the video below to learn more about their heartwarming story!
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