Adorable baby chimp DIES at Kansas Zoo just a month after shooting to internet fame

A baby chimpanzee has died a month after it went viral when a video surfaced online of its mother running to hug him after being separated from him for two days due to complications during childbirth.

Kucheza, who brought fame to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Kansas, died unexpectedly Thursday, cradled in the arms of mother Mahale, according to a post on the zoo’s Facebook page.

They wrote: ‘Friends, our hearts are broken today. It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Kucheza, a 5-week-old Chimpanzee.’

The most heartbreaking thing is that the mother Mahale has not yet let go of her baby, so the zoo workers have not yet investigated why Kucheza died and the cause of her death is still unclear.

The zoo’s Facebook continued: “In his few weeks of life, Kucheza brought joy and light to so many, and created the opportunity to educate the world about chimpanzees, the dangers they face in the wild, and most importantly, why what should we care.” .’

In that spirit, the Sedgwick County Zoo has established a page for friends of Kucheza to donate to chimpanzee conservation in his honor.

In November, animal lovers around the world watched as Mahale rushed to hug Kucheza after being separated from him for two days due to complications during childbirth.

The footage shows Mahale immediately picking up and hugging her baby after he raises his arm for attention as she enters an enclosure where she was resting at the Kansas Zoo.

The Sedgwick County Zoo posted the images online after welcoming Kucheza’s birth in mid-November.

After Mahale experienced difficulties during labor, zoo staff decided to perform a C-section. The couple were separated for two days while baby Kucheza was monitored.

Chimpanzee Mahale nurses her newborn baby, Kucheza, shortly after being reunited after a two-day separation.

Baby Kucheza raises her hand to get the attention of her mother Mahale, who has just entered the enclosure

Mahale immediately runs to her baby and takes him in her arms, after noticing his presence.

Most heartbreakingly, mother Mahale still hasn’t let go of her baby, so zoo workers have yet to investigate why Kucheza died.

The zoo said: ‘After almost two full days, Mahale and baby were reunited this morning!’

‘Mahale gave birth via emergency caesarean section after her natural labor stopped progressing.

“The baby wasn’t breathing well on his own, so he stayed in the hospital with the medical team until he could join mom.”

In the heartwarming video posted online on November 17, Mahale enters the enclosure where her new baby is resting on a blanket.

She stands still for a moment, not realizing that her newborn is only inches away.

Newborn chimpanzee Kucheza receives veterinary care after being delivered by caesarean section on November 17

Veterinary workers helped Kucheza at the Sedgwick County Zoo after he was delivered via emergency C-section

Seconds later, the baby Kucheza raises his arm, attracting the attention of his mother, who rushes over and takes him into her arms.

The mother then hugs her new son tightly, her love evident as she hugs him.

The zoo’s Facebook post has caught the attention of thousands of users.

According to its website, the Sedgwick County Zoo is a non-profit organization located in Wichita and is home to 3,000 individual animals of nearly 400 species.