As any mother will tell you, being a mom is one of the most demanding jobs out there.<\/p>\n
As if having to grow a whole new life (or set of lives) inside you wasn\u2019t enough, you have to ensure that you keep your offspring safe, fed, and comfortable.<\/p>
That\u2019s as true for many animal mothers as it is for humans.<\/p>\n
Some animal moms, however, take things to the next level.<\/p>
Whether it\u2019s the number of offspring they must look after, the pressures faced by their species, or the dedication they put in, they are extraordinary and deserve your appreciation.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, you don\u2019t have to have travel to far-off corners of the world to see these animal moms.<\/p>\n
Many of them can be found by taking a walk around the Johannesburg Zoo.<\/p>\n
Here are a few of them:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sabi (lion) <\/strong><\/p>\n Sabi is the mother of Bontle and Bula, the first of the lion cubs to be born in the zoo in over 10 years.<\/p>\n Now six months old, the cubs are growing fast and first explored their new enclosure in March.<\/p>\n In the wild, lion cubs usually grow up as part of a larger pride.<\/p>\n For their own safety, however, Sabi and the cubs will remain in a separate enclosure until they\u2019re older.<\/p>\n \u2022 Blackly (water buffalo) <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>The arrival of any newborn in an endangered species is something to be celebrated.<\/p>\n Small wonder then that zoo staff were so excited when Blackly the water buffalo gave birth.<\/p>\n Blackly\u2019s calf was the first birth of the endangered species in over 50 years at the zoo.<\/p>\n Endemic to the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia, it\u2019s estimated that there are only around 3 400 water buffalo left in the wild, making Blackly\u2019s little one an important ambassador for the species\u2019 survival.<\/p>\n \u2022 Daisy (chimpanzee) <\/strong><\/p>\n Daisy is known as the zoo\u2019s supermom.<\/p>\n Born in 1983 at the Ravensden Zoo in the UK, she has given birth to several young over the years, many of whom have gone on to become visitor favourites themselves.<\/p>\n Her youngest, Jozi, is four years old.<\/p>\n That means she\u2019s only just approaching the end of her nursing period.<\/p>\n Once weaned, Jozi will play a fuller role in the troop, helping out with any other newborns.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Make sure mom is kept safe this Mother\u2019s Day<\/a><\/p>\n Eight things you should know about the Johannesburg Zoo<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2022 Lunar (lar-gibbon) <\/strong><\/p>\n Another endangered species, the lar-gibbon is endemic to Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.<\/p>\n Also known as the white-handed gibbon, it is known for its striking looks — most notably the ring of white hair which surrounds the black face.<\/p>\n Lunar gave birth to her baby in 2017, meaning that her little one will be nursing until sometime in 2019.<\/p>\n That, in turn, means you\u2019ll have plenty of opportunities to catch the two of them being cute together.<\/p>\n \u2022 Gabby (buff cheeked gibbon) <\/strong><\/p>\n Gabby shares parenting duties with her partner Mar.<\/p>\n The pair were introduced in 2010 and, a few months later, were the proud parents of a bouncing baby gibbon.<\/p>\n The pair has continued to breed, with their current baby delighting visitors to the zoo.<\/p>\n Native to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, little is known about the species in the wild.<\/p>\n They are, however, endangered, meaning that Gabby and Mar\u2019s offspring may be vital to the survival of the species.<\/p>\n \u2022 Humans <\/strong><\/p>\n They may be on the other side of the enclosures, but you can see plenty of human mothers at the Johannesburg Zoo.<\/p>\n Some will be chasing after their young, others encouraging them not to climb up onto the enclosures or taunt the animals.<\/p>\n Most, however, will be enjoying a day out with their little ones.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n