Orangutan bottle feeds tiger cubs after watching caretakers do it, embodying their mama in heartwarming video

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Sep 1, 2026 8:15 AM EDT

Maternal instincts aren't specific to a species, that's what makes us so connected. 

Sometimes when we see species interacting with each other in ways we didn't expect, it can make us look at the world differently. There's something unique and heartwarming about that kind of care across species. There's an innocence and bliss that comes from their lack of fear or preconceived notions. Like they don't even know they're a monkey taking care of a jaguar. Certain survival instincts turn off and others turn on. They're tender for the sake of tenderness, and cross-species friendships have a special way of tugging at our heartstrings. Like in the video below, an orangutan witnesses tiger cubs being taken care of by their caretakers at a zoo of some sort, and the orangutan gets the instinct to help. He absolutely mimics their behavior with bottle feeding, with holding them and caring for them, and even with playing with them. It's truly inspiring and an adorable video to watch. Feast your eyes below.  

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    FreakyLou Amazingly strong orangutans with attack felines. We're going to lose that war
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    Orphanhorns Anytime you see multiple species sharing a space like
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    this it's a clue that what you're looking at is not a real zoo but either a
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    roadside tourist trap that exploits animals for profit or
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    some rich person who collects exotic animals. Not cute at all.
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  • It can be truly magnificent to see the love between two different animals. It can inspire us to see the world differently. It may demand that you stop and think to yourself how you can be better. There's always room for more love, connection, and empathy in the world. Sometimes we get consumed with the negative, with fighting, or with seeing what we can change. But sometimes all we need is to let go of that negativity and focus on something more positive. Something that doesn't need to be fixed, changed, or analyzed. It can be simple, a reminder that life goes on, a reminder that we even have the option to be happy and carefree. 

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    Moustashe Stay Still! I JUST WANT TO LOVE YOU!!
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  • Kindness and love go a long way. Love is one of those things that can really transform and transcend anything. We have a tendency to interpret animals through an emotional lens, which makes sense because they spark such strong emotions in us. Not only from the perspective of having a pet, but when we see animals at the zoo or on the street there's a strong sense of warmth there. There's a sweetness we can't always get from other humans. Children may give us this feeling, because their innocence can inspire us to remember times without complications. 

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    jibbergirl26 It takes a village....
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heartwarming maternal cute animals wholesome animals
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