It’s her very first baby—and like many new mothers, this young monkey mom is still learning.
The tiny newborn, barely days old, clings weakly to her fur. His movements are slow and unsteady, and he hasn’t quite figured out how to hold on tightly yet. His mother, too, is unsure. She tries to lift him, but her arms fumble. Sometimes she pulls too hard; other times, not enough. At moments, he slips, and she quickly tries again.
It’s not easy, but she’s trying—with all her heart.
Caring for a newborn in the wild takes instinct, patience, and practice. Experienced mothers seem to know just what to do. But for first-time moms, it’s often confusing at first. They may not know how to help their baby latch on to nurse or how to support his body when moving. This young mother is going through all of that now.
At times, she looks around, unsure of what to do. She watches other mothers nearby, sometimes mimicking their movements. She sniffs and grooms her baby carefully, trying to make a connection. Slowly, she improves.
The baby, too, is trying—gripping her fur, nuzzling toward her chest, and letting out soft cries. There’s struggle, but there’s also progress.
