Baby Gorilla Comforted by Mom After Fall Melts Hearts: ‘Love of a Mother’

A video capturing a touching interaction between a baby gorilla and its mother at Hogle Zoo in Utah has melted the hearts of users on TikTok.
The video, shared by TikTok user @cristinabee2, has amassed 8.1 million views since it was posted on October 6, captivating audiences with its tender depiction of maternal love.
The viral clip begins with the baby gorilla attempting to climb onto a rope but flipping and falling onto its back. The young primate sits up, visibly shaken, with its hands covering its face.
Within moments, the baby’s mother rushes over to offer comfort. She scoops the baby into her arms and lays beside it, gently pulling the infant closer as the two gaze at each other. Off-camera, voices can be heard gasping and expressing awe at the sweet interaction.
The video’s text overlay reads: “The love of a mother,” emphasizing the profound connection between the gorilla mother and her baby.
To watch the video, click here.
Newsweek has contacted @cristinabee2 for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.
The Hogle Zoo, where the video was filmed, recently welcomed a new western lowland gorilla infant, born on May 30 of this year.
The baby gorilla, named Addo, which means “King of the Road” in the African Ga language, continues to thrive under the care of its mother, Pele, the zoo noted in a June statement.
“Our teams have seen many positive signs from Addo, like occasionally holding on tightly to Pele without her support—showcasing that strong nature,” according to the zoo. “Husani (dad) stays close to Pele to get a glimpse of his son whenever Pele allows it. Overall, the troop is calm and behaving normally—all of which tells our team the troop is doing well.”
According to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, gorilla mothers form incredibly close bonds with their infants, providing constant care during their early years.
“Gorilla mothers have very strong bonds with their infants and provide complete care for them during their first few years, starting with carrying them everywhere against their chest, and then later having them ride on their backs. Of course, this takes a lot of extra energy in traveling with their groups every day, in addition to feeding the nursing youngsters,” the organization wrote.
It added: “Compared to humans, gorilla moms rarely allow other group members to handle or carry the infant, though sometimes we do see other individuals in a group lending a hand.”
TikTok users were quick to express their joy and admiration for the video, marveling at the bond between mother and baby.
One user, JasmineCollette, commented: “OMG CUTENESS OVERLOAD.”
Another second user, Bellamia, noted: “Mom is right there.”
Other users remarked on how the baby appeared to be crying, with @Pottsiegirl1 writing, “Make that baby looked like he was crying.”
User @l.u.f.f.y26 asked, “Is sum1 crying.”
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