It was a truly heartbreaking moment to witness. Little baby monkey Lily, just a few weeks old, was crying her tiny lungs out, desperately reaching for her mother, Libby. All she wanted was a little milk and comfort. But instead of love, she was met with something shocking—Libby hit her hard, pushed her away, and blocked her from nursing. Lily cried louder, confused and frightened. Why would a mother act this way toward her own baby?
Observers were stunned and saddened. Lily was visibly weak, skinny, and trembling, her tiny face soaked with tears. She tried to cuddle close to her mom, hoping for warmth, but Libby continued to reject her—turning her back, slapping her away, and refusing to let her nurse even once. Every time Lily got close, Libby grew more aggressive, almost like she didn’t recognize her own baby.
Experts believe this could be due to several reasons. Sometimes, a mother monkey under stress—perhaps from hunger, threat of predators, or bullying from other monkeys—can change her behavior drastically. In Libby’s case, she had recently been in a fight with a dominant female in the group. Since then, her mood became erratic and unpredictable.
It’s also possible that baby Lily was born weak or sickly, and in nature, some monkey mothers instinctively reject babies they fear won’t survive. It’s cruel, but it’s how wild animals sometimes cope with limited resources.
The scene was almost too much to bear. Poor Lily lay crying in the grass, her little stomach empty and her heart clearly broken. Thankfully, kind rescuers were nearby. They quickly stepped in, carefully scooped Lily up, and wrapped her in a soft cloth. She is now being cared for by loving human hands, receiving milk, warmth, and all the comfort she was denied.
It’s a painful reminder that even in the wild, not all mothers can nurture. But there is still hope, and Lily’s story is not over yet. 💔🐒
