Baby gorilla, who almost died, raised by zookeeper like his own child before meeting adoptive mother

There have been ample examples showing how animals and babies are very similar. From being dependent on their parents to making mischief and learning, a lot is common between human and animal babies. That's why, when newborn gorilla Kaius did not have the support of his biological parents, he found his guardian angel in the form of zookeeper Chad Staples, as per CNN. Kaius was raised by the zookeeper and his experience is one that he will cherish forever. 

Chad Staples, the director of the Mogo Wildlife Park has grown popular due to his unique experience with Kaius. The director told CNN that when Kaius was born, he seemed fine. However, the mother gorilla had concerning issues post-delivery owing to which they could not take care of Kaius. This is where the father gorilla stepped in and took hold of Kaius for a long time. The staff got worried about how the father gorilla would take care of the baby as Kauis was small and fragile compared to the father.

The staff tried to get the father to leave the baby but in vain. When the father gorilla finally did leave Kaius, the staff fed him and left him back with his parents. What the baby gorilla's birth parents did next was upsetting. Staples said, “They basically walked straight over to him, looked at him and then walked away. Then they proceeded to step over him to get food and were sort of interested but not interested like we had expected.” 

This meant danger for little Kaius who was still only a day old and needed extreme care and warmth. When the staff tried to feed him, they discovered his condition was bad. Staples said, “He’d lost color, looking very dull in the eyes, and so we rushed him up to the vet block, and he proceeded to crash quite quickly.” The vets diagnosed him with sepsis pneumonia. His condition was quite critical and vets said that he might not make it through the night.

Staples was heartbroken at this news and took Kaius on his chest and stayed up with him all night. “That was what gave him the most comfort and got his heart rate and breathing under control, just that skin-to-skin contact and feeling the heartbeat as he would from his mom,” Staples said.

Soon, Kaius was getting better and responding well. Staples took care of him like he was his mother and nurtured him with the warmth and affection he needed. When he got better, Staples introduced him to the outside zoo environment and the staff to make him aware of his surroundings. Soon after, Aunt G-Anne, a female gorilla, agreed to take care of Kaius. Staples and his team monitored and assisted in building a rapport between the two and it seemed to go well. 

Staples is still monitoring G-Anne and Kaius before he can go back to the zoo to be around other animals. However, the care that Staples had given Kaius created a special bond between the two. Staples expressed, "Once I’m close, he pushes his face into mine and big beautiful breaths, holds on tight, you know, tries to kiss, all these sorts of beautiful things." The two had their unique communication which made them close to each other. Staples went on to say that he hopes Kaius will continue to remember and connect with him.

Staples and Kaius’ bond is simply heartwarming. The way the two are connected is truly something we need to ponder. Chad noticed that Kaius yearned for affection and love and provided for him almost like a mother. Animals are beyond our understanding but their requirements are very similar to ours and it's just about noticing and reaching out like Staples did.