There’s something truly magical about the early days of motherhood—when every moment is filled with awe at the tiny, perfect life you’ve brought into the world. While it’s heartwarming to see this bond in humans, witnessing animals share tender moments with their young is equally endearing.
Sekali, a Sumatran orangutan living at the Toronto Zoo, became a mother in April, and her interactions with her baby are captivating hearts everywhere. In a recently shared video, Sekali is seen giving her baby some “tummy time,” gently stroking and cuddling him. The Toronto Zoo described her care in glowing terms: “Sekali continues to take excellent care of her little one, and he appears to be more alert and mobile. Keepers are noticing the baby standing up while holding onto mom and sitting up on his own now, so he is growing stronger each day.”
The video highlights an especially heart-melting moment when Sekali picks up her baby’s tiny foot and gives it a tender “kiss.” It’s a scene that has people gushing.
A Viral Moment of Love
Viewers were quick to share their admiration on the zoo’s Facebook page.
“Looks like Mama’s counting all those little toes and fingers. She seems like such a tender mom!” wrote one commenter.
Another added, “Clearly, she adores him so much. She’s such a good mom. He’s so sweet and bright-eyed—a happy, content little guy.”
One playful comment stood out: “I’m going to get in trouble for saying this, but that little one is cuter than a lot of human babies! Just look how gentle she is with him!”
A Species in Crisis
As adorable as the video is, it also highlights the stark reality facing Sumatran orangutans. In 2017, these great apes were reclassified from “endangered” to “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their survival in the wild is severely threatened by deforestation, largely driven by the expansion of palm oil plantations. According to the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme, only about 14,000 Sumatran orangutans remain in the wild.
While the birth of Sekali’s baby is a joyous occasion, breeding orangutans in captivity has sparked debate. Programs like the Orangutan Species Survival Plan are not designed to reintroduce these animals into the wild but aim to maintain genetic diversity, support research, and raise public awareness about the species.
Zoos have evolved over the years, moving away from cage-like enclosures to more naturalistic habitats. Studies suggest that these efforts positively impact visitors’ understanding of conservation issues. Orangutans like Sekali, thriving under human care, may inspire more people to take action to protect their wild counterparts.
A Message of Hope
“We are incredibly excited to welcome this new addition to the Toronto Zoo family,” said Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo. “This baby represents an important contribution to a genetically healthy population of Sumatran orangutans in human care. At the same time, Sumatran orangutans face immense challenges in the wild due to habitat loss and the palm oil crisis. We’re working with our partners to address these issues and are proud to play a role in conserving this amazing species.”
To learn more about how you can support orangutan conservation, visit the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme or the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy.