Woman And Orangutan Share Beautiful Moment Together As She Breastfeeds

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AmyBrown
Jan 21, 2020 9:00 AM EST

Gemma Copeland was left in tears after visiting Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria. 

While in the orangutan enclosure, Copeland realized her son, 15-month-old Jasper, was hungry. She sat down against the glass to breastfeed him when a female orangutan, named Sol, who had been watching Copeland intently, comes to sit beside her.. as if protecting her as she breastfeeds. 

Sadly, Sol had previously given birth to a stillborn infant. 

Copeland was moved to tears by the gesture, writing, "She looked directly into my eyes then placed her hand up as if to touch my son. I was in awe of this beautiful creature already. My son wanted feeding and as it was quiet I fed him whilst I sat there. The way the orangutan reacted took my breath away she kept looking at me, then my son then back again.

She sat with me for approximately half an hour, and kept stroking the glass and lay down next to me as if to support and protect me. I was absolutely gobsmacked and got quite a crowd of people turning up to see what was going on – people were sat watching quietly and respectfully. It was really lovely and I didn't want to leave – it felt incredible and I was crying so much because I couldn't take it in.

I had to share this because my mind was blown, we may be a species apart but breastfeeding connected us today in a once in a lifetime moment that will stay with me forever."

Sol undoubtably had a strong connection to this mother and her child. Orangutans are such gentle and loving souls, Sol is an example of that love.  

Story via The Scottish Sun

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    Text - Gemma Copeland is e feeling amazed with Shane Prince at Zoo Vienna Schönbrunn. 9 January at 18:51 - Vienna, Austria - O Today I got feeding support from the most unlikely of places, the most surreal moment of my life that had me in tears.
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - I visited schoenbrunn zoo in vienna whilst on a mini break with my partner and son, we nipped in to see the orangutans at the end of out day who were happily playing in the enclosure so I went to the window for a closer look and sat down by the window so my Ib could see the orangutan who was roughly 5/6ft away. She then got up, carried a piece of cloth to the window and sat down with me. She looked directly into my eyes then placed her hand up as if to touch my son I was in awe of this be
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - My son wanted feeding and as it was quiet I fed him whilst I sat there, the way the orangutan reacted took my breath away she kept looking at me, then my son then back again. She sat with me for approximately half an hour, kept stroking the glass and lay down next to me as if to support and protect me.
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - I had to share this because my mind was blown, we may be a species apart but breastfeeding connected us today in a once in a lifetime moment that will stay with me forever.
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Sporting Group
    via Gemma Copeland / Shane Prince/Mercury Press & Media
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    Sporting Group
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Sporting Group
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Orangutan
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - Gemma Copeland 11 January at 22:38 - 6 Im utterly speechless at the reaction my experience has recieved, by lunchtime yesterday we'd reached 4,819,817 people across the globe, from Mexico to The Philippines to Kenya...
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - Just think if each person that had seen or commented on this post by now donated just $1, between us we'd of raised over $5million. Imagine the difference that would make to the conservation, rehabilitation and release of these beautiful creatures.
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - I'm hoping with the opportunity I've been given I'm able to give something back and make a difference to the future of the Orangutan #
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - Please share, normalize breastfeeding and raise awareness of these beautiful creatures OD 4.4K 20 comments 2.2K shares
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Others began sharing their own remarkable experiences with apes:

    Text - Amber Paff A similar thing happened to us when my cousin was a baby, he was crying in the pram, my aunt had just gone to the bathroom, we went to look at the gorilla's, & they all rushed to the window where we were standing, the females were getting distressed & gently hitting the glass. My mum picked up my cousin to show them he was ok & they sat & the ones closest to the glass put their hands on it. Was beautiful 151
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
  • 14
    Text - Deb Nicoll Beautiful experience. When my daughter was about 3 or 4, we went to visit the Gorilla enclosure at the Bronx Zoo. My daughter sat on a rock pressed up against the glass, when one of the females came over, and sat up against the glass and placed her open palm against the glass. My daughter raised her hand to her, and they sat quietly for about 20 minutes. Absolutely one of my favorite moments These animals are the gentlest of creatures. 282
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press
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    Text - Kelley Bidigare Nursing your child is the natural way to provide food and nutrients. This beautiful momma knew exactly what you were doing and why. I'm sure she's done the same with her babies! I just love this story and I thank you so much for sharing it! 181
    via Gemma Copeland / Mercury Press

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nature mothers mother zoo motherhood orangutan love animals beautiful
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