Zookeepers lowered their equipment, watching in disbelief. Lulu carefully scooped the puppy up and cradled it against her chest, just as she would a chimpanzee infant. She began to groom its fur, a clear sign of acceptance and affection. One of the senior keepers felt a lump form in his throat—he knew exactly what was happening.
Only a month before, Lulu had lost her own baby to a sudden illness. The matriarch had been grieving deeply, isolating herself from the troop and refusing food. The staff had been monitoring her declining health with growing concern.
Now, seeing her with the puppy, it was as if a switch had been flipped. Her eyes were bright, her movements were gentle, and for the first time in weeks, she seemed engaged and purposeful. The tiny, lost puppy had awakened her powerful maternal instincts.