The clock started ticking the moment the tiny, silent newborn was found alone in the roots of a fallen tree. Cold to the touch and barely breathing, it was a race against a body shutting down. From that second, our mission was clear: trying to save this newborn monkey baby so it can recover quickly. Every action, every decision, is streamlined toward that single, urgent goal.
The first hour is critical. We flooded its system with warmth, placing it in an incubator to stabilize its core temperature. Subcutaneous fluids were administered to combat severe dehydration, pumping vital moisture back into its tiny veins. A drop of honey-water on its tongue provided an instant spark of energy. We named him Kirin, hoping to give him a fighter’s spirit.
Now, the 24/7 vigil begins. His recovery depends on a relentless, gentle routine:
- Feeding: Every two hours, day and night, a special formula is offered through a tiny syringe. We watch for a strong suckling reflex—a key sign his nervous system is engaging.
- Stimulation: Since he has no mother to groom him, we mimic this with a soft toothbrush on his skin and gentle abdominal massages to aid his digestion—trying to jump-start the bodily functions a mother’s care would trigger.
- Monitoring: Weight is checked twice daily. A single gram gained is a victory celebrated. We listen to his breathing, watch for alertness in his eyes, and track his sleep patterns.
We are trying everything, balancing science with soul. He is cradled against a surrogate “mom”—a soft toy with a heartbeat simulator—to provide the rhythmic comfort he misses. The room is kept quiet and dim to minimize stress.
Progress is measured in whispers, not shouts. Yesterday, he grasped a finger for the first time. This morning, he finished an entire feeding without tiring. These are the fragile signs that our relentless trying is working. We are pouring every resource into this tiny life so it can recover quickly, not just to survive, but to eventually thrive. The road is long, but for Kirin, every minute of care is a minute closer to a full, wild future.
