Amazing moms from the animal kingdom
News
In celebration of Mother's Day, we’re highlighting and celebrating some other mothers from the animal kingdom
Animal moms work really hard and often sacrifice their own needs, wants, and wellbeing to provide for and protect their young.
Not a small job
Of all land animals, elephants give birth to the largest babies – with newborn calves weighing in at over 100kg. This is even more remarkable when you consider that these mums carry their babies for 22 months!
Stay close, mama!
The bond between an orangutan mother and her young is one of the strongest in nature. For the first four months, contact between mother and infant is never broken. Orangutans, especially females, remain highly attached to their mothers well into maturity.
Mother knows best
Pigs are not only highly intelligent, they also make great moms - they even recognise their own piglets’ calls from others'! Newborn piglets also learn their moms' voices, and choose a favourite teat to feed from, all within hours of being born. Piglets are so attached to their mothers they scream in distress when they’re separated from them.
We are family
African grey parrots know that raising a baby is no joke - that's why they do it together. When the eggs hatch, the male helps raise the chicks together with mom. In the wild, these birds are highly social and nest in large groups, containing thousands of individuals, comprising of small family groups.
Mama bear
Bears are renowned for being great, protective moms. Their youngsters are born blind, hairless and vulnerable - and often when the mother bear is hibernating. The cubs will stay in the den and close to their mom to keep warm, and by the time hibernation ends they will be furrier, bigger and full of energy!
The perfect gift
Celebrate and thank your amazing mom or a special woman in your life this Mother's Day with a World Animal Gift that helps animals live free from suffering. Click here to view the full gift catalogue and Mother's Day e-cards.