One thing humans have in common with animals is a mother’s love for their child. In nearly every species, a mother is essential for caring for their offspring, teaching them how to survive and loving them unconditionally.
And that kind of love was clear on display this past weekend, as two mothers — a human and a gorilla — shared a sweet bond just in time for Mother’s Day.
Emmily Austin, from Maine, is the mother of a five-month-old baby named Canyon. Last weekend, she and her son visited Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo.
But when they got to the gorilla exhibit, they were surprised when one of the animals, a female western lowland gorilla named Kiki, seemed curious about the baby.
“I was holding him up to the glass, and was like ‘Yeah look, it’s my baby.’ And was like, ‘How cool would it be if she came to see him?'” Emmily told News Center Maine.
To her surprise, Kiki actually did come over to the glass… and began lovingly staring at her child.
Kiki came right up to the glass, her attention fixed on the baby. She stared at him lovingly and curiously.
She touched the glass, as if trying to touch the baby’s hand or pet his face. The adorable moment got the attention of fellow zoo visitors.
“It was so sweet,” Emmily said. “For like well over five minutes she just sat there watching him and just staring at him so lovingly.”
It was as if there was a spiritual bond between the two new mothers: it turns out that Kiki, a mother of five, had given birth to her youngest son, Pablo, in October.
And as Emmily showed her baby, Kiki decided to bring Pablo over and show off her own child.
“Her face was just so in love,” Emmily said. “She was showing her baby my baby.”
Needless to say, it was an unforgettable trip to the zoo for this mother and baby, giving them a beautiful moment to remember forever.
Their story went viral just in time for Mother’s Day this past Sunday, a touching reminder that a mother’s love transcends species.
“We had so many people stop us and tell us that was the most beautiful thing we’ve ever watched,” Emmily told News Center Maine. “And it was so touching, it really was. You could feel the emotions were just in the air.”
What a beautiful moment. It really shows the beautiful bond between mothers and their children, and between humans and animals.
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