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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