This tiny monkey, named Babu by caretakers, was only a few days old when tragedy struck. His mother was either lost or unable to care for him, and the sanctuary staff had no choice but to step in to save his life. Under human care, Babu received round-the-clock feeding, warmth, and comfort. With his soft fur and big, curious eyes, he quickly won the hearts of the caregivers.
But while human affection is essential for a baby’s survival in the early days, monkeys are social animals that need their own kind to thrive in the long run. After about a week, the rescue team decided it was time to attempt to integrate Babu into a monkey family within the sanctuary — a group of females with young ones of their own. The hope was that a mother figure among them might adopt Babu or at least accept him into the troop so he could learn natural behaviors and grow up in a socially stable environment.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
As soon as Babu was gently introduced to the new home, the other monkeys became curious but cautious. The dominant female sniffed him, then turned away. One of the other mothers even pushed him lightly aside. Babu, confused and frightened, tried crawling toward one of the females and made soft chirping sounds — a clear call for affection and milk. But instead of kindness, he was met with cold indifference.
Over the next hour, it became painfully obvious: Babu was not being accepted.
This kind of rejection, while heartbreaking, is not uncommon. Monkeys can be highly protective of their own young and sometimes see outsiders — even newborns — as a threat to the troop’s order. In some extreme cases in the wild, unrelated infants can be harmed or even killed. Thankfully, in the safety of the sanctuary, Babu was not physically hurt, but the emotional toll was clear. He sat alone in a corner, his tiny body shivering, his eyes constantly looking toward the group that ignored him.
Seeing this, the caretakers quickly removed him and returned him to the nursery, where he was comforted and fed. The team was heartbroken but knew they had to take things slower. Babu needed time — not just to grow stronger physically, but to build the confidence and trust that might eventually help him be accepted, either by a more nurturing female or another young troop raised in similar circumstances.
For now, Babu remains under human care, with plenty of love, warmth, and gentle encouragement. He plays with stuffed animals, clings to his caretakers, and is slowly gaining strength each day. His story is a reminder that while nature can be beautiful, it can also be harsh — especially for those who don’t have a mother to protect them.
But Babu’s journey isn’t over. With the care and patience of the team, he may still find a family one day — whether it’s a surrogate monkey mother or a small group of fellow orphans like himself. And until that day comes, he won’t be alone.
