Hand rearing a primate

3:35am, 12th September 2014

Having worked with lots of infant primates in the past...

... I thought 'how hard can it be to rear one of our own?'

Cathy and I are now parents of a lovely daughter, Severn Leonard (named after the River Severn). She arrived a week ago and is already ruling our lives. She is, officially, the most beautiful baby in the world (not just me saying this, my mum thinks so too and she is very fair).
It's an incredible experience to go through watching Cathy's body change and adapt to this amazing task. Understanding the physiology behind it makes it no less special. Mammals are extraordinary parents. No dropping off thousands of babies in the sea and hoping one or two make it, for us. We are hard-wired to nurture and protect this tiny helpless bambino for the rest of our lives (according to my Mum it never goes away). Severn is the most fascinating and captivating creature I have ever met...

...and Bruce seems happy with her too.