Kimberly Theidon

I found this post disturbing on various levels. The documentarian informs the viewer that “When Taavi’s mom failed to show maternal instincts, animal care specialists intervened to hand raise him.” WAIT: In addition to the disturbing imposition of hegemonic maternal scripts, I wonder if some zoo-interned animals refuse to raise their young under such conditions. For those with more knowledge on this issue, might this be maternal refusal rather than failure?