Heart-Melting! Orangutan Father Raises His Daughter On His Own After His Wife’s Death

Fathers of orangutans don’t typically help raise their offspring. A female spends more of her life with her offspring than any other mammal on the planet. Despite all odds, this orangutan at the Denver Zoo nurtured his two-year-old baby by acting as a mother. The father took over parenting his children when the mother passed away.

The zoo posted on social media, “We’re terribly heartbroken to share that Nias, the matriarch of our Sumatran orangutan family, passed away unexpectedly last Thursday.” Nias started working at the Denver Zoo in 2005 when she was 17 years old. For the past 15 years, she has entertained guests and fought for the conservation of her fragile species.

Hesty, 10, and Cerah, 2, her two kids, were usually seen taking care of and playing with her. We are awaiting the results of a necropsy conducted by our partners at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Services because we do not yet know what caused Nias’ demise.

Nias was well-known for being the “Queen Bee” of the Zoo’s Great Ape exhibit. Her partner, Berani, constantly followed her example, and her caregivers were aware that they shouldn’t provide a gift to another orangutan unless they also intended to give it to Nias. She maintained a close eye on her, never letting her out of her sight, till Hesty grew more independent. Nias calmed down as Cerah, who was born in 2018, was welcomed into the family, and guests witnessed Nias swinging around by herself while still being watched carefully by her mother.

It was amazing to see this large guy with this small, little infant, according to KIRO7’s Cindy Cossaboon, a primate keeper who has known Nias from her first day at the Zoo. It’s one of those situations where a tremendous storm comes first and a rainbow appears later. He is performing admirably. For her, we couldn’t have asked for greater care.

Being a kind parent, Nias holds his daughter close when she sobs and consoles her anytime she cries.

Cossaboon continued, “Not many people have the kind of connection I have with these animals. Everyone has a unique personality, life experience, and memorable moments.

The zookeepers who care for Cerah wish her a long and healthy life. The public’s interest has been stirred by her devotion to her father, and their narrative serves to highlight how comparable orangutans and humans are.

It’s absolutely great to see something that may make us all happy and give us something to anticipate, said Cossaboon. Please tell your friends and family about this heartwarming family story since it exemplifies love and family.