Panda Mom Rejects Newborn

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When Min-Min the panda gave birth to her newborn baby, doctors and zoo staff had a tough decision to make. While animals in the wild immediately bond with their young, they felt that it was in the baby’s best interest to be separated from mom so they could quickly run some tests.

They wanted to make sure the infant was healthy, but they also knew that they ran the risk of Min-Min rejecting her newborn forever. The staff had to take their chances for the overall health of newborn…

Luckily, the little one passed the check-up with flying colors. It was now time to be reunited with mom. But would mom reject her baby now that they had been separated? The handlers did their best to remove their scents from the baby, carefully dropping the little one back into Min-Min’s enclosure.

They held their breaths as they waited for her motherly instincts to kick in.

This moment was everything the team had been waiting for. They knew it would either be a beautiful reunion or a heartbreaking, life-long separation.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t reacting as they had hoped. Observing to make sure the baby was safe, they tried several different tricks in a desperate attempt to reunite the mother with her young.

Finally, something clicked. Min-Min slowly walked over to her newborn baby. Was this squirmy thing her baby?

Staff noticed Min-Min sniffing the newborn carefully and inspecting the hairless creature. There was a maternal instinct in there somewhere – it just needed a few seconds to come to the surface. Even though Min-Min carried her baby for roughly five months, the immediate separation after birth made it harder for their mother-child bond to flourish.

Thankfully, Min-Min’s natural instincts took over and she carefully scooped up her newborn. The cameras and veterinary staff watched carefully as Min-Min cradled her baby close. This was everything they prayed would happen!

The true maternal bond between mother and child was put on display for the world to see. This was the perfect example that mothers (no matter the species) love their babies just the same. It’s clear that Min-Min will make a wonderful mother and her baby is in good paws.

What cameras captured in those few precious moments will leave you covered in chills, as Min-Min suddenly realizes the tiny creature is hers.

See the emotional moment everything changes in the video below – this was incredible to watch!