Chimpanzee Takes Over Mothering Duties for Two Tiger Cubs Separated From Their Mother by Hurricane Hannah!–Truth!
Summary of eRumor:
An email that includes pictures of a chimpanzee playing with two white tiger cubs. The text claims that the cubs were separated from their tiger mother because of Hurricane Hannah and that the chimpanzee has become their surrogate parent.
The Truth:
The story is true.
It took place at The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in South Carolina. It is a “is a wildlife education organization, dedicated to promoting global conservation with informative, educational and entertaining interactive programs.”
The cubs are named Mitra and Shiva.
China York is the keeper at the facility in charge of caring for the cubs. She says the cubs were born at TIGERS in 2008 but hurricane Hannah caused severe flooding and the mother tiger became distressed. For safety, the cubs were moved indoors.
At the time of these pictures, the cubs were about 21-days old.
A two-year-old chimp named Anjana became China’s helper in caring for the chimps and as a result the cubs and surrogate mother Anjana have become almost inseparable.
China’s job is to care for newborn animals at the facility and as her animal companion, Anjana has helped with other animals as well.
updated 11/06/08