Cutting the cord

New Mommy Ibu rests with her baby in a nest she constructed in her behind the scenes living quarters.

Ibu is an intelligent and independent orangutan. Giving birth all by herself was a surprise, but not out of character for this new mommy. However, Ibu's strong trust-based relationship with her keepers allowed them to take a first step in helping her as new mommy, beyond years of training. 

When the zookeepers arrived at the El Paso Zoo the morning of April 23, Ibu voluntarily presented her new arrival to them. After two years of mommy training and building a daily trust-based relationship. Because of this strong relationship, zoo keepers were able to assist Ibu in cutting the umbilical cord, which was still attached when the keepers arrived. 

Keepers had taught Ibu to present the baby to them - first with her wood block baby, and then with her plush practice babies. To cut the cord, they asked her to present the baby, which Ibu voluntarily did. When Ibu realized what they were doing, she decided she would try to do it herself. Then she realized it would be hard to cut the cord herself, so she presented the baby to the keepers so that they could do it for her instead.

A first for them to help her on her motherhood journey after years of preparation.