The call came just before dusk: an adult female monkey, seriously injured by a vehicle, was found on the roadside, but witnesses reported she had been carrying a baby. When the rescue team arrived, the scene was dire. The mother lay in shock, a deep wound on her leg, but her arms were still curled in a protective gesture over her chest. As the team gently examined her, they discovered the source of her final act of protection—tucked against her belly was a newborn baby monkey, impossibly small and shockingly weak.
The mother’s serious injury had left her unable to forage or produce sufficient milk. The infant, suffering from extreme weakness, was dehydrated, cold, and listless. This was a dual rescue mission: save the mother, and save the child she could no longer sustain.
With immense care, the team separated the two for medical treatment. The mother was stabilized—her wound cleaned, sutured, and bandaged. She received fluids, antibiotics, and pain relief. The weakness newborn was whisked to a heated incubator. Its umbilical cord was still attached, indicating it was only hours old when the accident occurred. It received emergency warmth, subcutaneous fluids for dehydration, and colostrum replacement formula via a tiny syringe.
In the sanctuary, their recoveries began in tandem, but apart. The mother, though healing, called out in distress from her enclosure. The newborn, gaining strength in the nursery, was fed every two hours and swaddled to mimic the mother’s hold.
The true turning point came days later. Once the mother was alert and the infant stronger, a careful reunion was arranged. The mother, recognizing her baby’s scent and cry, gathered him to her chest with a soft, grooming nuzzle. Though her milk supply was diminished, the physical bond was restored. Caregivers now supplement the infant’s feeding while the mother provides warmth, comfort, and essential social grooming.
This rescue of the seriously injured mother and her weakness newborn highlights the profound bond between them and the critical window for intervention. Through swift action and compassionate care, both lives were spared, giving this fragile family a second chance to heal—together.
