Amara, a mischievous and sometimes jealous young female monkey, had been watching the babies closely. She’s known in the troop for her playful but sometimes pushy behavior, especially when she feels left out or wants attention. Spotting Gino playing closely with Tola—and getting lots of attention from the caretakers—seemed to spark a jealous streak in her.
In a flash, Amara dashed over and snatched baby Gino right out of the playful scene. At first, it seemed like she just wanted to carry him off like a protective big sister. But the situation quickly turned uncomfortable. While holding Gino tightly, Amara began pulling on his tiny limbs—and shockingly, tugged on his private area! Gino let out a sharp squeak, clearly distressed, and tried to wiggle free.
Thankfully, the caretakers were nearby and reacted immediately. They calmly intervened, gently separating Amara from Gino without causing alarm to the rest of the troop. Gino was quickly returned to Tola and checked for any signs of injury—luckily, he was just frightened and not hurt.
After the incident, Amara was distracted with treats and gently redirected to play with older monkeys, helping her calm down and refocus. Meanwhile, Gino and Tola reunited and comforted each other, grooming softly as if to say, “Everything’s okay now.”
Though shocking at first, this moment reminds us that young monkeys, like toddlers, don’t always understand the impact of their actions. Amara wasn’t being cruel—just impulsive. And thanks to quick caretaker action and the loving bond between the babies, all ended well.
