http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_837771.html
Granny gorilla instructs daughter on baby care
A granny gorilla has been spotted instructing her daughter on baby care in the US.
The daughter, an 11-year old captive western lowland gorilla called Ione, proved to be a hopeless parent when her first baby was born.
She neglected the infant, which in the end had to be raised by keepers at San Diego Wild Animal Park in California, reports New Scientist.
But when Ione's second baby arrived, her mother came to the rescue. Initially, Ione left her baby on the ground in front of her 21-year-old mother, Alberta, who picked him up and handed him back.
When Ione made no attempt to take the baby, Alberta moved closer, pushing the newborn into his mother's face until she accepted him. Keepers who were closely monitoring Ione observed similar behaviour several times over a period of two days.
By the third and fourth day, Ione was holding the baby.
New Scientist magazine reports: "Sometimes, Alberta would hold the baby's arm, and Ione would hand him over, but when the baby nestled into its grandmother, Ione quickly took him back. With time, Alberta became less involved."
Gorilla mothers are often seen teaching their young to walk and climb. But experts believe this is the first reported case of "granny knows best" among gorillas.
Ione died when the baby was 10 months old, but he was successfully fostered by another female gorilla.
Story filed: 21:05 Wednesday 12th November 2003
