Trending Now - Mexican Baby Monkey Yuji Finds Solace in Stuffed Toy

WHO:

ABC News - Yuji, a 6-week-old patas monkey, and Kamaria, his mother.

ABC News - Iván Reynoso Ruiz, head of the primate section at the Guadalajara Zoo.

ABC News - Diana Valencia, an animal rights activist.

WHAT:

ABC News - Yuji clings to a stuffed dog, which acts as a surrogate mother after being rejected by Kamaria.

ABC News - Yuji weighs 673 grams (1.4 pounds) and was placed in an incubator after birth.

ABC News - Yuji was named after a popular Japanese manga character.

ABC News - Yuji is under the care of 12 veterinarians and biologists at the Guadalajara Zoo.

ABC News - Yuji is currently on a milk-only diet and is bottle-fed four times daily.

WHERE:

ABC News - Guadalajara Zoo, located in western Mexico.

ABC News - Yuji is housed in the Comprehensive Center for Animal Medicine and Welfare (CIMBA) at the zoo.

WHEN:

ABC News - Kamaria gave birth on March 3rd, 2026.

ABC News - Yuji's transfer to a habitat with other monkeys will depend on his weaning, expected around September 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - Kamaria was unable to form a maternal bond, leading to Yuji's rejection.

ABC News - The assisted rearing process is used to protect the health and development of at-risk offspring.

HOW:

ABC News - Yuji was placed in an incubator to stabilize his temperature after birth.

ABC News - Staff rotate Yuji's stuffed dog with two other toys to maintain hygiene.

ABC News - Caregivers have outfitted Yuji’s crate with a small hammock and ropes to stimulate his development.

(UPDATED April 16, 2026 19:26 UTC)

At the Guadalajara Zoo in western Mexico, a six-week-old patas monkey named Yuji is being cared for after being rejected by his mother, Kamaria, who gave birth March 3rd. Weighing just 673 grams, Yuji clings to a stuffed dog that serves as his surrogate mother, and he is currently on a milk-only diet, bottle-fed four times a day by a team of twelve veterinarians and biologists. His transfer to a habitat with other monkeys will depend on his weaning, which is expected around September 20th26, as staff continue to support his health and development with various toys and a cozy hammock in his crate.