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Pregnant orangutan is given a breastfeeding masterclass from 30 women in unusual maternal workshop
Dublin Zoo has a new resident, after its 19-year-old orangutan, Mujur, gave birth to an adorable male infant.
Mujur previously gave birth to two infants in 2019 and 2022 but struggled to breastfeed, and both youngsters passed away not long after birth.
In preparation for the birth of this newborn, Dublin Zoo enlisted the help of 30 breastfeeding women who took part in an unusual maternal workshop.
Nora Murphy, a first-time mother from Rathfarnham in Dublin, jumped at the chance to get involved with the project.
'Breastfeeding worked for me but I know it is not always the case for other women. I felt like I was passing a torch on [to Mujur],' she told The Irish Times.
Nora Murphy (pictured), a first-time mother from Rathfarnham in Dublin, jumped at the chance to get involved with the project
Dublin Zoo has a new resident, after its 19-year-old orangutan, Mujur, gave birth to an adorable male infant
The infant was born on 31 July, having been fathered by Sibu, a male who sadly passed away in February.
'Orangutans are a critically endangered species, with females typically only giving birth every 3 to 5 years, to one infant at a time, meaning this birth is hugely significant,' Dublin Zoo explained.
'Sibu's genetic profile is considered to be extremely important for the Orangutan European breeding program and the whole Dublin Zoo team is so happy to see his legacy live on through this infant.'
With her previous offspring, Mujur did not exhibit the necessary maternal qualities for survival, including breastfeeding and transportation.
'For the first 3 years of an orangutan infant's life, they are completely dependent on their mother for food and transportation,' Dublin Zoo explained.
'They cling to their mother while she moves, and feed on her breastmilk.
'This means that maternal qualities are absolutely vital for the wellbeing of the infant.'
The infant was born on 31 July, having been fathered by Sibu (pictured), a male who sadly passed away in February
While Mujur did try feeding her infant, unfortunately she was not putting him in the right position for feeding, and the decision was made for the zookeepers to start bottle feeding him
Ahead of the birth of her latest infant, Dublin Zoo put out a call for volunteers from lactation groups in and around Dublin.
Thirty women signed up and spent time breastfeeding their infants in front of Mujur in the months leading up to the birth.
Mujur was 'extremely interested' in watching the women, according to Dublin Zoo.
Ms Murphy, who has a 10-month-old daughter, Elodi, explained: 'You find yourself rooting for [Mujur].
'You are going from being a mother yourself to trying to help a mother to be.
'You would be talking to her saying: "Look this is what you are meant to do."
'She would stare at you really looking at what you were doing. She was hand expressing as time went on, which was magic.'
The zookeepers are now looking after the infant, before he's moved over to Monkey World – an Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset
While Mujur did try feeding her infant, unfortunately she was not putting him in the right position for feeding, and the decision was made for the zookeepers to start bottle feeding him.
'As is international best practice, we do not typically intervene in these situations to ensure conditions are as natural as possible,' Dublin Zoo explained.
'However, given the importance of this infant and his genetic profile inherited from his father Sibu, the difficult decision was made to separate the infant from Mujur and commence bottle feeding him.'
The zookeepers are now looking after the infant, before he's moved over to Monkey World – an Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset.
'The infant will continue to be cared for by the Dublin Zoo animal care team for another few weeks, before making the trip to his new home,' the team added.
'The whole team has already fallen hopelessly in love with him, and it will be difficult to say goodbye, however we are confident that he is being sent to the best possible place for him to continue to develop and thrive.'