In a rare show of love, a mother chimp has adopted the baby of another female chimp who died after childbirth.
In an unheard act of love, a pregnant female Chimp has adopted an orphaned baby chimp whose mom named Soona died shortly after childbirth in a Zoo at Monarto, southeast of Adelaide.
The baby chimp named Boon was unveiled on Wednesday in the Monarto Zoo. The pregnant female chimp who remained by Soona's side as she died adopted Soona's baby after her death in a show of unheard love.
Senior primate keeper, Laura Hanley said It comes as a surprise as no one has ever heard or recorded a scenario where a pregnant chimp had taken on the role of surrogate to another infant, so close to a birth of her own.
"I'm humbled by what we've seen from the chimpanzee troop over the last few days -- it's unheard of to see a heavily pregnant chimpanzee adopt an orphaned newborn infant," she said in a statement as the "miracle" baby made his public debut.
"From the minute she first cradled the newborn, she's been amazing -- grooming, supporting and nursing the little man as though he was her own.
"The unique situation certainly reinforces the strong bond our chimps share and the similarities these amazing creatures have with their closest living relative, us."
According to Hanley, she's optimistic Zombi would continue to care for Boon even after she delivers her own baby. Such show of love is rare in the wild.