Orangutan’s fatherly love took over after his partner passed away

• Sumatran orangutans, like Berani, are not known for being involved in child-rearing.
• But Berani “has always been an exception to the typical role of a male orangutan.”
• He went beyond the norm and took care of her two-year-old daughter when his partner passed away.

This father orangutan has stepped up to the plate after his partner passed away.

Sumatran orangutans are not really into child-rearing, but Berani has gone beyond the extra mile when Nias, his 32-year-old partner, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died. Berani’s fatherly love took over and he started parenting their two-year-old baby Cerah.

It was in 2005 when Nias was brought to Denver Zoo in Colorado, where she had two children. When she died, the zookeepers were worried that Cerah would not get enough cuddle time and motherly guidance.

Cerah is indeed one lucky girl for having a dad who was brave enough to defy the norm and raise her himself.

Hesty, Cerah’s 11-year-old sister, has also been helping out in nurturing her. They’re spending the day playing with each other, with Hesty holding her most of the time.

“In the wild, orangutan males are not involved with their offspring. To see Berani step up as Mr. Mom is an extremely rare situation — and Cerah couldn’t have asked for a better dad. Berani is so attentive and protective of her, seeing to all her needs. He will carry her, comfort her, and even snuggles her when she sleeps,” the zoo wrote on Facebook.

The zookeepers were not surprised at all when Berani assumed a larger role in parenting compared with most male orangutans.

Carlie McGuire, the zoo’s public relations coordinator, said Berani “has always been an exception to the typical role of a male orangutan.”

He was even so fatherly with Hesty when she was younger, despite he was not Hesty’s biological dad.

Indisputably, Berani is an ideal father, whether to humans or to his kind.

Source: Inspire More