Zoo's mother ape melts hearts after caring for lost baby robin

"She was grooming it, attempting to nurse it, and every time it would make a noise," said a member of the care team

A touching encounter between a siamang ape and a lost baby robin has captured hearts after zoo staff shared video of the unlikely pair interacting at a New Mexico zoo.

The heartwarming moment took place at ABQ BioPark, where a young robin accidentally found its way into the enclosure of Eve, one of the zoo's resident siamangs. Rather than ignoring the tiny bird, Eve immediately appeared to treat it like one of her own offspring.

Video released by the zoo shows Eve gently cradling the fledgling, grooming it and even attempting to nurse it. According to Megan Agena, a member of the BioPark's primate care team, the ape's maternal instincts took over as she tried to comfort the distressed bird.

 

 

 

 

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"She was grooming it, attempting to nurse it, and every time it would make a noise, she would try her best to comfort it," Agena said.

Animal care staff closely monitored the unusual interaction before safely retrieving the robin. The bird was then successfully reunited with its mother, bringing the remarkable cross-species encounter to a happy ending.

In a statement, ABQ BioPark praised both Eve and her keeper for helping ensure the bird's safe return.

"Thanks to Megan and Eve's teamwork, the bird was reunited with its mom safe and sound soon after," the zoo said.

Zoo staff noted that such nurturing behaviour between completely different species is rare, but said Eve has always displayed an exceptionally gentle and independent personality compared with the other siamangs in their care.

Siamangs are the largest members of the gibbon family and are known for their agility, long arms and powerful swinging abilities, which allow them to move effortlessly through forest canopies in their native Southeast Asian habitat. Despite their wild instincts, Eve's compassionate response offered a striking example of maternal behaviour extending beyond species boundaries.

The video has since delighted animal lovers online, with many praising Eve's instinctive kindness and the successful efforts of the zoo staff who ensured the baby robin was safely returned to its family.