There’s something truly magical about new motherhood—the quiet moments spent admiring tiny fingers and toes, cherishing the life you helped create. It’s heartwarming when humans do it, but watching animals share those same tender moments with their babies is downright enchanting.
Sekali, a Sumatran orangutan at the Toronto Zoo, welcomed her baby in April, and the zoo recently shared a touching video of their bond. In the clip, the little one enjoys some “tummy time” as Sekali gently strokes and cuddles him. “Sekali continues to take excellent care of her little one, and he appears to be more alert and mobile,” the zoo shared. “Keepers are seeing the baby standing up while holding onto mom and sitting up on his own now, so he is growing stronger each day.”
While the baby is undeniably adorable, it's Sekali’s gentle touch and the way she lovingly picks up and “kisses” his tiny foot that has everyone melting.
A Moment That Touched Thousands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1qxCM5w8lw
The video quickly won hearts, with people gushing over the sweet interaction.
“LOOKS LIKE ALL MOMMA’S COUNTING THOSE LITTLE TOES AND FINGERS…. SHE APPEARS TO BE SUCH A TENDER MOM!! ❤” one commenter wrote.
“Clearly his mom just adores him so much. She is such a good mom… he’s so sweet and bright-eyed, a happy and content little guy,” added another.
One person even admitted, “I’m going to get in trouble for saying this, but that little one is cuter than a lot of babies!!! Just look how gentle she is with him!”
A Species in Need of Protection
As sweet as this moment is, it also highlights a more serious issue—Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered.
In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) moved them from “endangered” to “critically endangered,” as their rainforest habitats continue to be destroyed, primarily due to palm oil plantations. Today, only about 14,000 Sumatran orangutans remain in the wild.
Captive breeding programs, like the Orangutan Species Survival Plan, aim to maintain genetic diversity, support research, and raise awareness about these remarkable animals. While controversial, zoos have evolved, creating more naturalistic habitats that help educate the public about conservation efforts.
“This orangutan baby is an important contribution to a genetically healthy population in human care,” said Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf DeJong. “Meanwhile, Sumatran orangutans face increasing pressure in the wild due to habitat loss and the palm oil crisis, which we are working with partners to address. We are proud to play an important role in the conservation of this amazing species.”
If you’d like to support orangutan conservation, check out the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme or the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy.