And remotely parenting related…
This little Madagascar lemur was born at Besancon Zoo in eastern France. She’s named Tahina and is considered one of 17 Propithecus coronatus lemurs living in custody around the world.
She’s not with her real mother, for reasons I am not sure about, so zookeepers are doing their best to keep her nurtured as well as she would be in the wild by her own mama lemur. Veterinarians feed her with a small syringe containing a mixture of cat and infant formula.
She was also given the cuddly –and lemurlike -- teddy bear that she can clutch to like a real mother. Lemurs are believed to ride on their mother’s bellies in their first weeks, so having this snuggly companion to cling to helps her calm her fears and feel comforted.
Lemurs are endangered in their native lands in eastern Madagascar because they are actually considered delicacies, and they are also facing habitat destruction.
Proof that mothers are hardwired to nurture? This picture kind of makes me want to cry – and go hug my own little baby.
