Monday 21 November 2022 11:02 PM Aussie bloke gives 'miracle' gorilla a second chance at life trends now
A desperately ill gorilla born at an Australian zoo has been given a second chance at life after the head zookeeper decided to care for the young primate himself.
Zookeeper Chad Staples has reared baby gorilla Kaius through the 'roughest of nights' after the traumatic birth of the young primate at the Mogo Wildlife Park in Mogo, along the New South Wales south coast, last month.
His mother, Kipenzi, was scheduled to have surgery to remove the placenta after his birth, but Kaius' father, Kisane, for unknown reasons, took him away during a vital feeding window.
When staff managed to get Kaius back 14 hours later, he had developed sepsis pneumonia.
Baby gorilla Kaius (pictured) has been cared for by zookeeper Chad Staples after he suffered a traumatic start to life upon his birth at Mogo Wildlife Park last month
The young primate's mother, Kipenzi, was scheduled to have her placenta removed. Kaius was taken by his father, Kisane, before the surgery (pictured, Kaius' family)
Doctors, nurses and vets from the local area rushed to the Mogo Wildlife Park to help Kaius, who has since remained in a stable condition.
Chad Staples, along with staff, have been taking care of the young gorilla since his mother left him when Kaius was placed near her.
'On the first night I had him, when all the health care people had treated him and left, we all knew there was a high chance he would crash overnight,' Mr Staples told The Sunday Telegraph.
'Everyone puts it down to skin on skin contact and giving him the emotional connection and stability. What got his heart rate down and what stabilised his breathing was that contact of him being on my chest, listening to my heartbeat.
The head zookeeper said hearing his
