Are Animals Just Animals?

Hurricane Hanna hit South Carolina on September 7, 2008 as baby white tigers Mitra and Shiva were being born. According to Dr. Bhagavan, founder of TIGERS (The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species), the mother became stressed after their sanctuary flooded and it was necessary to separate the cubs for their own safety.

And this is where a long time resident of TIGER came to the rescue. Anjana took on the role of caring for the two cubs, becoming surrogate mom and playmate to the baby tigers.

This, in itself, isn’t remarkable. But the fact that Anjana is a two year old female chimpanzee is!

Animal keeper, China York, has looked after Anjana since she was born and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Anjana assists China in caring for baby animals all the time and has helped with leopards, lions and orangutans. “She has just finished raising four lions and they were inseparable” says Dr Bhagavan. “Anjana’s a great assistant.”

The loving chimp gives ‘her’ cubs a bottle, lies with them and acts as the doting mother. Look into Anjana’s eyes and see the love.

This has to make you wonder – are animals just animals?


The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGER) is a wildlife education organisation, dedicated to promoting global conservation with informative, educational and entertaining interactive programs.


Reference: Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1076572/Pictured-Two-white-tiger-cubs-surrogate-mum--Anjana-chimpanzee.html

Pictures: Barry Bland / Barcroft Media