One afternoon, Sophie decided to approach Maya quietly, as she was still sitting in the corner of the sanctuary. As she got closer, Sophie noticed something strange. There was a small, barely visible bundle hidden beneath Maya’s form, tucked away and protected by the orangutan’s massive frame. Sophie’s heart skipped a beat. She leaned in a little closer, trying to get a better look without startling Maya. It was a baby—a baby orangutan.
Sophie stood frozen, her mind racing. Maya had a baby? How could she have not known? She hadn’t seen any signs of pregnancy before. Sophie’s breath caught as she watched Maya, who seemed completely at ease. It was clear Maya wasn’t sick or grieving, as Sophie had first feared. She had been quietly nurturing and protecting her newborn, keeping it safe from the world.
Sophie slowly backed away to give Maya and her baby space, feeling a deep sense of awe. It was clear that Maya had been silently bonding with her newborn for weeks, keeping it hidden away from the rest of the sanctuary. But why had she kept it secret? And how had Sophie missed this?