Chimpanzee Baby Tiger: Understanding the Unnatural Behavior of Motherhood

When mammalian mothers give birth, they must begin nursing their infants - something they can do only if they're healthy and well-nourished. If a mother bear in the wild gives birth to unhealthy or deformed cubs, or is unable to find enough food, she will typically kill and consume them. This behavior is not unique to bears; many species of animals, including chimpanzees and baby tigers, have been observed killing and eating their own young.

In fact, mother bears, felines, canids, primates, and rodents have all been seen engaging in this behavior. For example, a recent incident at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., highlighted the complex and sometimes brutal nature of motherhood. Khali, a sloth bear, gave birth to three cubs, but soon after delivering her first cub, she began to exhibit unusual behavior.

Khali was observed eating one of her newborns, leaving zookeepers stunned and trying to understand why this had happened. According to Tony Barthel, a mammal curator at the zoo, 'We don't really know what happened, but our assumption is that the cub was not well, and it died.' The keepers intervened, treating Khali with antibiotics and placing her in an incubator to restore her body temperature.

The reasons behind this behavior are simple: resources. In the wild, a mother's survival depends on her ability to find food and protect her young from predators. If she is unable to do so, eating her own offspring may be seen as a necessary evil. Similarly, in captivity, a mother's health and well-being depend on her ability to receive proper care and nutrition.

In the case of Khali, it is possible that her decision to eat one of her cubs was driven by illness or poor nutrition. The zookeepers noted that she had an elevated white blood cell count and was suffering from an infection. Despite this, Khali continued to nurse her remaining cubs, showing a remarkable ability to adapt to her circumstances.

The incident highlights the importance of understanding animal behavior and the complex emotions involved in motherhood. While it may seem unnatural or even cruel to us, for many animals, including chimpanzees and baby tigers, killing and eating their own young is simply a survival mechanism. By studying these behaviors, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and our place within it.

Chimpanzee baby tiger