Gorillas are known to have many similar characteristics to humans. Opposable thumbs, playful nature, group hierarchy, and of course, a motherly instinct that can’t be broken.
Kiki, a famous resident gorilla at the Boston Zoo, definitely has all of the above and more. When a young couple brings their newborn child to the zoo, something truly unique happens.
This couple didn’t know how similar they were to Kiki. As the young couple had a newborn baby, Emmelina, Kiki also had a newborn herself, by the name of Pablo.
As the young mother holds her newborn baby up to the window of the enclosure, she catches Kiki’s eye, who wants to show them something of her own—her newborn baby gorilla Pablo.
Kiki, holding her hand up to the window, is proud to show Pablo off to the young couple. She has wholly recognized that this couple also has a newborn child and wants to relate to them through motherly instinct.
So gentle, calm, and loving, Kiki looks at Emmelina and perhaps thinks she is also a baby gorilla. Ever so softly, Kiki demonstrates how she nurtures Pablo as if she’s giving lessons to the young mother.
The connection between Kiki and the young mother is genuinely unique. As if they speak the same language, maternal instinct seems to be universal across multiple species.
If you liked this, share it with a friend.
