A New Hope for a Baby Chimp
A newborn chimpanzee at Rockhampton Zoo in central Queensland is defying the odds, thanks to the unexpected help of donated breastmilk. While this kind of support is typically reserved for human infants, it has become a crucial lifeline for the young chimp, who was born with a broken leg and is now under the care of zoo staff.
The baby, named Cassie, was welcomed by the zoo last week, marking an exciting moment for the team. However, the joy was quickly overshadowed by a heartbreaking incident. The 19-year-old first-time mother, alpha female Sile, accidentally dropped the newborn from a height, fracturing its femur. According to zoo curator Blair Chapman, Sile struggled to carry her baby properly, a common challenge for inexperienced mothers.
“She just didn’t understand how to carry her properly,” he said. “She’s doing overall well. She just has a lot to learn.”
Following the accident, the baby underwent multiple veterinary check-ups and x-rays. It was eventually fitted with a cast and placed on a strict 24-hour care regimen. This includes ensuring the infant meets all developmental milestones, performing exercises, and keeping its leg elevated. The baby also needed regular feeding, which led to an unexpected but vital contribution from a local supporter.
An Unlikely Hero
Cherie Rutherford, a councillor with the Rockhampton Regional Council, which owns the zoo, shared how a pregnant woman named Cassie stepped in to help. As a zoo supporter, Cassie generously donated colostrum, the nutrient-dense first form of breastmilk, to supplement the baby’s formula feeds.
“[This] gives her [the baby] the best chance of having all the right antibodies,” Cr Rutherford explained. “Chimpanzees share 98 per cent of their DNA with humans, so that’s a really good thing that Cassie has been able to have that colostrum.”
The baby was named Cassie, honoring both the donor and another long-lost chimpanzee named Cassius, who lived at the zoo for decades before passing away last year. “He was a beautiful soul and we thought it was very, very fitting that the new baby Cassie carries his name,” Cr Rutherford said.
Rebuilding Bonds
Despite the early challenges, baby Cassie is making progress. She is now able to interact with her mother, Sile, and the rest of the troop through a barrier. The keepers are also helping Sile get used to the baby’s scent by bringing along the wraps that Cassie uses.
“[Cassie] comes to visit each day with her mum and also with the rest of the troop,” Cr Rutherford said. “Wraps that she uses are also brought up to Sile, so that she’s getting used to the baby’s smell.”
Mr. Chapman emphasized the genetic importance of the new arrival. “She is very genetically valuable,” he said. Her mother, Sile, comes from a different genetic line in Germany, while her father, Alon, is from Israel. He is also unrelated to the rest of the chimpanzee groups in Australasia, making the baby a rare and valuable addition to the troop.
A Bittersweet Time
The birth of Cassie comes just a month after another tragic event at the zoo. Another female chimp, Mary, gave birth to stillborn twins, which left the keepers deeply saddened. “It was an extremely sad time,” Cr Rutherford said. “Our keepers feel that very deeply and they know there’s always a risk that could happen.”
While the team was excited for Sile, they were also cautious and anxious about the outcome. However, the arrival of baby Cassie has brought hope and renewed excitement to the troop. With eight members in total, including four males and four females, the group continues to grow and thrive.
