Two baby gorillas at Bronx Zoo

[Catherine]

Quote:There's a world of character in those eyes. And they do seem to know just what the baby needs.
As you say, Catherine, no Gorilla Mum leaves her baby to cry or without contact. You never see a Baby ape with a dummy or comforter. Do they ever suck their thumbs? They DO have 4 to choose from!!

Baby gorillas nurse when ever they want and I have not seen one suck its fingers/thumb or any thing else. Mom is right there and they never feel the need for any other comfort.

I must do an up date on Gladys, she is a baby gorilla raised from birth by zoo keepers, but raised as a gorilla. It meant 24 hour contact by keepers in furry vests, crawling around with Gladys clinging to them, while they made gorilla like vocalizations. It worked. Now that she can hold a bottle on her own she has been bonded with a real gorilla mom and is part of a gorilla family. Gorillas don't just make good moms, they make good adoptive moms.