Elizabeth Burrett was at the Melbourne Zoo celebrating her daughter's birthday when her 13-week-old babe got hungry. Burrett, who happened to be by the orangutan enclosure, sat down and started breastfeeding. As is often the case, her breastfeeding attracted attention, but this time it was from a kindred spirit.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153921520967422&set=a.10150465975987422.394635.574002421&type=3&theaterJust wanted to share with you all this amazing breast feeding experience.
While celebrating my daughters 3rd birthday at the Melbourne Zoo my 13 week old got hungry while we were in the orangutan enclosure.
I took him into a quiet corner away from the crowd to feed, Then this happened..... This mummy came to investigate and she watched the whole feed.
It was the most beautiful thing!!!
Now everyone in Melbourne (well not everyone) has a picture of me feeding as once one person saw what was going on the word spread fast and they flocked to see what was happening. I felt like I
was on exhibit lol
I'm very happy to report that there was not one nasty comment made about me feeding in public.
Burrett spoke with ABC Australia to describe the moment in greater detail. "It started off with just one," she said, "then another one came over who seemed to be a bit older and shooed this one off for a little while. And she came over and gave me a bit of a nod."
Burrett, who believes the second orangutan is a mom, said she was proud of herself for successfully feeding in public, and believed the animal felt the same. All it took for Burrett to revel in her public breastfeeding was the supposed approval of an ape.
https://www.instagram.com/p/_2t9XXpumM/?taken-by=zoosvictoriaIn related ape news, Mental Floss reports that Zoos Victoria has been working with University of Melbourne researchers to adapt video games for the orangutans. The current goal is to use the Xbox Kinect 3D motion sensor to allow orangutans and zoo visitors to interact together. The "game" in development involves a projected dot that explodes only when an orangutan and visitor touch it at the same time.
The day is approaching when orangutans will bond with humans not only over natural acts like breastfeeding, but also the joys of technology.