The Dublin Zoo brought in a group of breastfeeding mothers to help an orangutan bond with her newborn. Mujur, a 19-year-old orangutan at the zoo, gave birth to a healthy male baby in late July but has not been feeding him. To encourage lactation, the zoo organized 30 new mothers to take turns breastfeeding their babies in front of Mujur. The team hoped that observing the women would help Mujur learn to feed her own baby, as orangutans are known to imitate behavior. A meta-analysis found reduced reproductive success in captive animals, as a result of various stressors.
In other news: Saving Lives in Rocket City. Massachusetts bans large animals at traveling fairs and circuses. North Carolina State University researcher suspended for harming animals. Closing the courthouse door to the most abused animal on the planet. Calls for accountability and reform at pound that killed dog by heartstick. Veterinarian who defended heartsticking resigns.
These are some of the stories making headlines in animal protection:
