Last winter, little chimpanzee Joko Junior was born, much to the surprise of his mother and the staff at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
His mother, Jerry, had been outfitted with a contraceptive implant, designed to prevent her from conceiving a child.
However, in one way or another, the contraceptive implant failed. Jerry birthed little Joko Junior, and the sanctuary named him after his late father.
While this little chimpanzee’s birth was certainly unexpected, the sanctuary community greeted him with boatloads of affection.
His mother was a bit apprehensive of her little bundle of joy at first. But thanks to the support of her chimpanzee friends and sanctuary caregivers, she’s warmed up to her adorable baby boy.
The Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary does not typically breed chimps, instead preserving their resources to help the many abandoned, neglected, and abused chimps waiting for rescue. Joko Junior, though, is a welcome exception to this policy.
Jerry and the other chimpanzees at the sanctuary all take turns holding little Joko Junior, helping him grow up big and strong.
Scroll through below to see how this amazing miracle chimp is faring with his new family.
[H/T: The Dodo]
At the end of last year, the staff at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone got quite the surprise.
One of their chimpanzees, who they thought was wearing a contraceptive implant, birthed a baby.
They named the little chimp Joko Junior, after his late father.
Sofie Meilvang, program manager at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, told the Dodo of the contraceptives: "We are not sure why, but they are not 100 percent safe.
"She might even have removed it, without us noticing."
The sanctuary typically implants these sorts of contraceptive devices in its rescued animals in an effort to preserve funds.
Sierra Leon harbors innumerable chimpanzees needing rescue.
The sanctuary prevents its rescues from birthing more babies so that their staff can save chimps that are already alive and in danger.
Joko Junior’s mother, Jerry, didn’t immediately bond with her surprise bundle of joy.
She breastfed impatiently, and carried him on her back far earlier than typically prescribed.
Meilvang told the Dodo, "In the beginning we were observing her very closely to make sure that he got enough milk and grew as he should."
Despite these initial struggles, Jerry has overcome her discomfort, and is now fully embracing motherhood.
Many of Jerry’s friends have chipped in to help raise little Joko Junior.
Meilvang told LittleThings, "I now really understand how important it is to keep the chimpanzees in the wild with their group."
"They learn so much by observing each other and will always lack some skills when they are taken away from their group as small babies"
"If Jerry had grown up in her wild social group, I am sure she would have been a much better mum."
Meilvang told the Dodo of Joko Junior, "He is now almost 5 months old. He will be a strong little chimp one day."
Now, this lucky little miracle gets to live a beautiful life with his mom, friends, and other sanctuary caregivers.
While certainly unexpected, this adorable chimpanzee was luckily born into a welcoming community where he’ll grow up loved.
What do you think of Joko Junior’s story? Have you ever gotten to interact with chimpanzees? Tell us about your experiences in the comments below.
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