A heartbreaking and deeply troubling moment was captured when mother monkey Libby displayed unusually aggressive behavior toward her baby, Leo. The incident unfolded as Leo approached his mother, seemingly seeking comfort or milk, but was instead met with rejection—and much worse.
Libby, possibly under extreme stress, appeared agitated and confused. In an alarming reaction, she grabbed Leo and forcefully pushed him to the ground multiple times. Bystanders and caretakers were shocked, and the scene left witnesses in silence.
Such behavior, while rare, can occur in primate species under high-pressure situations—such as social tension, resource scarcity, psychological stress, or postpartum confusion. In the wild or poorly managed environments, these factors can lead to misdirected aggression—even from mothers toward their own young.
