First-Time Gorilla Mom Can't Stop Showering Newborn With Kisses

Calaya is a first-time mother at the Smithsonian Zoo who couldn’t stop kissing her newborn right after she gave birth.

[zookeeper]

She is actually clearing his airways, but she is doing that with love.

[kathryntate]

She wasn't "taught" this; she feels it instinctively.

[nataliafoxxx]

She’s just cleaning him off and stimulating him to breathe. But she is so gentle with him. See how she’s even holding his head and neck. And she sets him down to gently. It’s really sweet to see.

[readytogo]

She's cleaning her baby up, not kissing him. Although, she seems more than happy to do it with love! God bless them both!

[MatchaTheVibeking]

Whether its actually kissing, or if she's just cleaning him, the level of tenderness and gentleness from this powerful beast is still beautiful
Edit: Holy shit, lotta people on some high-ass horses in the replies here. Just to clarify for all the slower/self-righteous people that read this, I mean "beast" as a large, powerful creature capable of great harm. Yes, we all know that humans are shit and animals are good beings with souls and lives that matter, and you are a very good person for having those opinions.

[lindajohnson]

It looks like Mum is kissing her baby but she’s (more precisely) cleaning out airways and providing the baby with an external stimulus to ensure that it’s breathing on it’s own, and it helps stimulate circulation. There is obvious care and bonding going on, too. Regardless, it was a lovely sight to behold ❤️

[willnot]

She's not kissing him. She's cleaning out the birth residue from its nose and mouth to help him breath better.

[lacountess]

“The infant hasn’t left his mother’s side.” As opposed to all other infants who immediately get up and go backpacking as soon as they are born. 😂

[anynamewilldoUSA]

I love how the humans believe they actually taught "parenting skills" to the Mama'rilla.
*maniacal laughter ensues*

[YizzleBerry]

It’s crazy to hear ppl say “zoo staff are ALLOWING the two time to bond” 🙄 Smh the absolute arrogance of humans 🤦🏾‍♀️

[GradKat]

How gently she holds her baby! It’s beautiful to see.

[TanyaQueen]

As adorable as this is, I think she's clearing the baby's airways. But in my opinion, that shows her love more than any amount of kisses ever could. <3

[andreahill]

“The zoo staff are allowing the mom to bond with her son” that statement right there is exactly why I don’t agree with animals being held in captivity unless they are on the brink of being extinct.

[kimberlysweat]

Ok get the caption right she's cleaning the it's still very sweet and she's being so gentle

[laurenriggs]

"It looks like she picks up fast"

Oh you mean instincts? 🙄

[Frenchylikeshikes]

The care in the way she handles her baby, is incredible.

[LalasKitchenCo]

Gorilla mom is tenderly CLEANING her baby not kissing him.

[karenlee]

When my daughter was a baby we went to the Buffalo zoo.. they had a mother gorilla and a baby.. is she kept hitting at the safety glass.. I picked my baby up I showed her to the mother gorilla and she showed me her child.. it was the most beautiful moment ever.. two mothers showing off their children.. one of the caretakers asked what are you doing .I said she is showing me her child and I am showing her my child..

[jenniebugs]

Trust humans to translate everything according to THEIR emotions. This mum gorilla has her own emotions, and it’s not because humans ‘taught’ her! How do you think gorilla mums in the wild have managed to nurture their babies without human lessons on ‘kissing’? They managed quite well without us, thank you very much!

[aichastern]

I love how she holds his head for support. So sweet. So human