As humans, we tend to assume that our emotional intelligence and capacity for empathy set us apart from other animals. However, the more we learn about animals, the more we see ourselves in them.
This is especially true of the species that is arguably our closest evolutionary cousin: chimpanzees. These great apes are capable of stunning displays of emotion that rival our own, particularly when it comes to their offspring.
If you are a proud parent, you will recognize the motherly emotions of this mama chimpanzee, Mahale. These emotions were on full display when she was reunited with her newborn.
Two days before this video was filmed, Mahale underwent an emergency C-section. After the procedure, veterinarians had to keep a close eye on the baby because he could not breathe.
After two long days of constant monitoring, the veterinarians declared that the baby chimp could be returned to his mother. But the caretakers of the Sedgwick Zoo did not know how the mama chimpanzee would react to her son.
The caretakers swaddled the baby chimp and placed him on a bed in the middle of the room. When the little one was situated, they let his mother into the room.
At first, Mahale had no idea what was inside the blue blankie, but when she saw a tiny chimpanzee arm stretched out to her, she knew who it was. Watch her heartwarming reaction.
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