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Date Published: 08/05/2024

Heartbroken chimpanzee refuses to give up her dead baby at Valencia zoo

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The Bioparcs of Fuengirola and Valencia are home to the largest group of chimps in Spain

Heartbroken chimpanzee refuses to give up her dead baby at Valencia zoo

In a poignant display of love and loyalty, a devoted chimpanzee mother, Natalia, continues to hold on to her deceased baby's corpse at the Valencia Bioparc, months after the tragic passing. The emotional connection between this remarkable mother and her late infant underscores the complex relationships and deep emotions that exist within the animal kingdom.

Sadly, the baby chimpanzee passed away in early February, succumbing to natural causes just days after entering the world alongside its twin sister. Upon realising the gravity of the situation, park staff carefully monitored the grieving mother and implemented a comprehensive surveillance plan, working closely with a team of international specialists to safeguard Natalia's welfare.

Despite attempts to save the youngster, veterinary care proved futile, leaving the brokenhearted mother to grapple with the loss of her precious offspring. Park representatives emphasised the importance of allowing the mourning process to run its course naturally, stating that the bereaved mother requires space to accept her loss.

Chimpanzees form strong familial bonds, mirroring human behaviour in many ways. Their ability to express deep affection and profound sadness demonstrates how intricate connections transcend mere survival instincts.

The bond shared by this mother and child has caused some distress to visitors to the park, but while the situation raises difficult questions about intervening in nature, the professionals entrusted with the animals' care ultimately concluded that removing the deceased baby could pose significant dangers to the remaining members of the group.

Instead, they opted to allow the grieving mother to decide when she feels ready to let go.

The Bioparcs of Fuengirola and Valencia are home to the largest group of chimpanzees of the subspecies Pan troglodytes verus in Spain, critically endangered according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and have a prominent role in the European program for their protection (EEP).

In other news: More drought fears in Alicante as the skies remain dry

Image: Bioparc Valencia

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