The call came just after dawn—a tiny, motionless form had been found at the edge of a village, abandoned and barely breathing. Within minutes, the rescue team was en route, their minds focused on one urgent mission: trying to save this newborn monkey baby so it can recover quickly.
When they arrived, the sight was heartbreaking. The infant, later named Milo, was shockingly small, his umbilical cord still attached, his body cold to the touch. He wasn’t crying, wasn’t moving—just lying in a shallow basket where a kind villager had placed him, his breaths so shallow they were almost imperceptible. This was a race against time. Every second without warmth, without nourishment, pushed him closer to the edge.
The team moved with practiced urgency. Trying to save Milo meant addressing three critical needs simultaneously:
1. Warmth First: Hypothermia kills newborns faster than hunger. Milo was immediately wrapped in a pre-warmed blanket and placed against a heated pad, his tiny body slowly absorbing the life-saving heat. A caregiver held him close, transferring her own body warmth while monitoring his response.
2. Hydration and Sugar: His blood sugar was dangerously low. Using a tiny syringe, they placed drops of warm electrolyte solution mixed with a touch of honey onto his gums. The first swallow was weak, reflexive. The second was stronger. His body was beginning to accept help.
3. The First Feed: Once stabilized, the most critical step began. A special primate milk formula was prepared, warmed to body temperature. Using a miniature bottle with an extra-soft nipple, the caregiver gently offered it to Milo. At first, he didn’t respond. Then, instinct took over. His tiny mouth latched on, and he began to suckle—weakly at first, then with growing determination. Trying to save him was working.
Now, the 24-hour vigil continues. Milo is fed every two hours, day and night. His weight is tracked in grams. His incubator is kept at a precise temperature. Caregivers stimulate him after each feeding to help his digestion, mimicking the grooming of a mother. Every small sign—a stronger suckle, a longer period of alertness—is celebrated.
The goal is clear: to save this newborn monkey baby so it can recover quickly. Not just survive, but thrive. To grow strong enough to eventually join other orphans, to learn to climb and play, to have a future in the wild. The road is long, but the first steps have been taken.
For now, Milo sleeps, his tiny chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm. The desperate fight to save him continues, but the beginning—the most critical beginning—has been won. 🐒🍼💕
