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For A Mother Who Needs Some Alone Time, Gorilla Behaves As A Babysitter

Being a mother is undoubtedly taxing, and Gutangara, a mountain gorilla from Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains, demonstrates that even animal moms want a vacation. Fortunately, another adolescent gorilla named Ubukombe is delighted to babysit for these stressed-out mums.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s communications expert, Donna Gorman, told The Dodo:

“Ubukombe never misses a chance to help the group’s babies, and her babysitting offers moms a reprieve from their responsibilities.”

CREDIT: JEAN PAUL HIRWA / DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA

Ubukombe was spotted caring for a baby while Gutangara, an exhausted mother, had a rest. Gutangara is a member of the Pablo Group, a historical group that the Fossey Fund has been monitoring since 1993.

Guarana is the most successful gorilla, with seven live progeny, and he constantly appears to have his hands full. Ubukombe, a volunteer, is a huge supporter of the Gutangara family.

Ubukombe isn’t just assisting moms; she’s also assisting in the preservation of her species. According to a recent census, just 1,063 mountain gorillas remain. The baby’s independence is developed during the brief period he is apart from his mother.

Here is a cute video of Ubukombe taking care of babies:

 

Donna added:

“Nanny work is seen in gorillas, although it is seen more frequently in certain groups than others, and in some gorillas than others.”

Ubukombe is an incredible gorilla; at just 6 years old, she is an expert at caring for newborns.

CREDIT: JEAN PAUL HIRWA / DIAN FOSSEY GORILLADonna expressed herself as follows:

“The sooner the infant is self-sufficient, the sooner the mother can have another child.” A mother gorilla normally takes three and a half to four years to wean her infant, and she does not become pregnant during this period.