There's also the issue of whether trying to limit natural breeding in captivity falls under the ethical treatment of animals, as breeding is a natural animal instinct. Many zoos have moved more toward a rehabilitation and conservation model, and there's no question that many animals who have been raised in captivity would not survive if they were suddenly released into the wild. Mamma gorilla watched, and then copied, and went on to successfully feed her baby 'Īnd not all zoos are created equal. When the gorilla gave birth, a volunteer came over and breastfed her baby, showing Mamma gorilla what to do, step by step. When she next became pregnant, breastfeeding women volunteered to sit beside the gorilla's enclosure and breastfeed their babies, showing the gorilla what to do. ' Did you know that women from La Leche League once taught a mother gorilla to breastfeed? The Mamma gorilla had been born and raised in captivity and didn't know what to do with her firstborn, and her baby sadly died. The Facebook page added a story about a gorilla being taught to breastfeed by women from La Leche League, an organization dedicated to supporting breastfeeders: I'm also incredibly lucky that my partner caught all of this on video 💕' We may be a species apart but breastfeeding connected us today in a once in a lifetime moment that will stay with me forever. I had to share this because my mind was blown.

'She sat with me for approximately half an hour, kept stroking the glass and lay down next to me as if to support and protect me.

The way the orangutan reacted took my breath away she kept looking at me, then my son then back again,' she continued. ' My son wanted feeding and as it was quiet I fed him whilst I sat there.

Be brave enough to be the light