Adorable baby chimp DIES at Kansas Zoo just a month after viral fame
Adorable baby chimp DIES at Kansas Zoo just a month after shooting to internet fame when mom rushed to embrace him following C-Section: Mother ape is so distraught she’s refusing to part with her offspring’s body
- Kucheza, who brought fame to a zoo in Kansas, died unexpectedly Thursday
- Mother Mahale has yet to relinquish her baby, so no cause has been determined
- The zoo has set up a page to donate to chimpanzee conservation in his honor
- The baby went viral after his mother embraced him post-separation a month ago
A baby chimpanzee has died a month after he went viral when video surfaced online of his mother rushing to embrace him after being separated from it for two days because of complications during birth.
Kucheza, who brought fame to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas, died unexpectedly Thursday, cradled in mother Mahale’s arms, 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 have to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Kucheza, 5-week-old Chimpanzee.’
Most heartbreakingly, mother Mahale has yet to let her baby go, so workers at the zoo have yet to research why Kucheza died and his cause of death remains unclear.
A baby chimpanzee has died a month after he went viral when video surfaced online of his mother rushing to embrace him after being separated from it for two days because of complications during birth
The zoo’s Facebook continued: ‘In his few short weeks of life, Kucheza brought joy and light to so many, and sparked an opportunity to educate the world about chimpanzees, the dangers they face in the wild, and most importantly – why we should care.’
In that spirit, the Sedgwick County Zoo has set up a page for friends of Kucheza to donate to chimpanzee conservation in his honor.
In November, animal lovers the world over saw the tender moment Mahale rushed to embrace Kucheza after being separated from him for two days because of complications during birth.
The footage shows Mahale immediately pick up and embrace her baby, after he raises his arm for attention when she enters an enclosure where he was resting at the Kansas zoo.
Sedgwick County Zoo posted the footage online after it welcomed the birth of Kucheza in mid-November.
After Mahale experienced difficulties during labor, the zoo staff decided to perform a C-section. The pair were separated for two days while baby Kucheza was monitored.
Chimp Mahale nurses her newborn baby, Kucheza, shortly after being reunited following a two-day separation
Baby Kucheza raises his hand to get the attention of his mom Mahale, who has just entered the enclosure
Mahale immediately rushes toward her baby and scoops him into her arms, after noticing his presence
Most heartbreakingly, mother Mahale has yet to let her baby go, so workers at the zoo have yet to research 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 progressing.
‘Baby wasn’t breathing well on his own, 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 rests in a blanket.
She sits still for a moment, not realizing her newborn is just inches away.
Newborn chimp Kucheza receives veterinary attention after being born by C-section on November 17
Veterinary workers assisted Kucheza at Sedgwick County Zoo after he was born by emergency C-section
Seconds later, baby Kucheza raises his arm, grabbing the attention of his mom, who rushes over and scoops him into her arms.
The mother then tightly hugs her new son, with her love evident as she embraces him.
The zoo’s Facebook post has drawn the attention of thousands of users.
According to its website, Sedgwick County Zoo is a non-profit located in Wichita, and is home to 3,000 individual animals of nearly 400 species.
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