Jungle girl Sophie finds new mother in Papanasam foresters

Generally, such orphaned animals are kept under local care and then sent to zoological parks, mostly Vandalur or other facilities. But, in the case of Sofie, the forest team members, moved by the monkey’s condition decided to ‘adopt’ and raise it under their care. The new caretakers entrusted with babysitting duties ensure the infant monkey is given her feed on time every day and also put to sleep in a makeshift cradle fashioned out of a bedspread. 

One of the caretakers named Chockalingam, who works as an Anti-poaching watcher at the Papanasam forest on Western Ghats, said that it was a month ago, during a routine patrol in the forest, they spotted the carcass of an adult female monkey, who seemed to have died due to extensive bleeding. And lying next to the mother’s body was Sophie. As the team of foresters couldn’t find any monkey in the vicinity, they decided not to abandon Sofie as other wild animals might prey upon her. 

So, they brought Sofie along with them and showered her with love and care just like a human infant. They started off by setting up a cradle tied to the branches of a tree outside their office. Chockalingam tells us that morning meals comprised of some wholesome milk and fresh fruits. However, as the days went by, Sofie’s appetite had also begun growing and she now partakes in the meals consumed by the team of foresters. Nevertheless, milk remains a staple food, which she prefers having in a feeding bottle. 

The foresters’ team members take turns to care for the infant animal. If a group of Anti-poaching watchers go out on patrol, another batch which returns to the office, pitches in to feed Sofie and take care of her. When asked about how long the monkey would remain under their protection, Chockalingam said, she would be fully dependant on them during the first six months. Once she grows up a little, she will begin venturing independently. However, he wipes off a tear as he says, she would linger around the office as it is the place where she was nursed back to health and nurtured.