Adorable baby chimpanzee DIES at Kansas Zoo just a month after it was shot to internet fame when its mother rushed to hug it after cesarean section: The mother monkey is so distraught she refuses to part with her offspring’s body
- Kucheza, who brought fame to a zoo in Kansas, died unexpectedly on Thursday
- Mother Mahale is yet to give up her baby, so no reason has been determined
- The zoo has set up a chimpanzee conservation donation page in his honor
- The baby went viral after his mother hugged him a month ago after their split
A baby chimpanzee has died a month after going viral when a video surfaced online of his mother hugging him after being separated from him for two days due to complications during the birth.
Kucheza, who made the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas famous, died unexpectedly in the arms of mother Mahale on Thursday, according to a post on the zoo’s Facebook page.
They wrote: “Friends, our hearts are broken today. It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected death of Kucheza, a 5-week-old chimpanzee.’
Most heartbreakingly, mother Mahale has yet to let her baby go, so zoo staff have yet to investigate why Kucheza died.
A baby chimpanzee has died a month after going viral when a video surfaced online of his mother hugging him after being separated from him for two days due to complications during the birth
The zoo’s Facebook page continued, “In his few weeks of life, Kucheza brought joy and light to so many and provided an opportunity to educate the world about chimpanzees, the dangers they face in the wild, and most importantly, why we care for each other.” should take care of that.’
With that in mind, the Sedgwick County Zoo has created a page where friends of Kucheza can donate to chimpanzee conservation in his honor.
In November, animal lovers around the world witnessed the tender moment when Mahale rushed to hug Kucheza after being separated from him for two days due to complications during childbirth.
Footage shows Mahale immediately picking her up and hugging her baby after raising his arm to attract attention as she enters an enclosure where he was resting at the Kansas Zoo.
The Sedgwick County Zoo posted the footage online after welcoming the birth of Kucheza in mid-November.
After Mahale struggled during labor, zoo staff decided to perform a cesarean section. The couple were separated for two days while baby Kucheza was monitored.
Chimp Mahale is breastfeeding her newborn baby, Kucheza, shortly after being reunited after a two-day breakup
Baby Kucheza raises his hand to get the attention of his mother, Mahale, who has just entered the enclosure
Mahale immediately rushes to her baby and takes him in her arms after noticing his presence
Most heartbreakingly, mother Mahale has yet to let her baby go, so zoo staff have yet to investigate why Kucheza died
The zoo said: “After almost two full days, Mahale and baby were reunited this morning!”
“Mahale gave birth via emergency c-section after natural labor stopped working.
“Baby wasn’t breathing well so he stayed in the hospital with the medical team until he could be reunited with mom.”
In the heartwarming video posted online on November 17, Mahale enters the enclosure where her new baby is resting in a blanket.
She sits still for a moment, unaware that her newborn is inches away.
The newborn chimpanzee, Kucheza, is receiving veterinary care after being born by caesarean section on November 17
Vets helped Kucheza at the Sedgwick County Zoo after he was born via emergency c-section
Seconds later, baby Kucheza raises his arm, catching the attention of his mother, who rushes over and takes him in her arms.
The mother then hugs her new son tightly, her love evident as she hugs him.
The zoo’s Facebook post has caught the attention of thousands of users.
According to its website, the Sedgwick County Zoo is a non-profit organization in Wichita and is home to 3,000 individual animals from nearly 400 species.