Meet 49-year-old Tonda. A couple of years ago when her mate, Yakut, died, Tonda got very depressed. I imagine she was lonely and didn't find any satisfaction in buying or chewing shoes. And maybe, unlike Lucy, she just isn't a handbag-type of girl? And maybe didn't really have a reason to look forward to coming back to her empty yard after a hard day at work entertaining zoo-goers.
So, inspired by Koko and her series of kitten buddies, Tonda's keepers decided to get her a kitty friend, which they helped her name T.K. Just having the fuzzy little beast around seems to cheer her up.
Says the New York Post, a surprisingly good source for animal news...
T.K., has brought Tonda back to her own self, providing her with a much-needed friendship zookeepers worried she might never again experience. The orangutan and cat eat together and sleep side-by-side; even when they aren't playing or cuddling, Tonda always keeps a watchful eye on her friend.
Be sure to check out the video on that page.
What is it about cats that makes us apes love them so, so much? Interspecies friendships are beautiful, fuzzy things. I sure love orangs. And cats.
1 comment:
I weep with cuddly emotion.
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