5 animals that ‘kidnap’ other animals’ babies and why it happens

It’s not the kind of wildlife story that usually makes headlines, but maybe it should.

When we think about animals, we usually focus on hunting, survival, or those rare, heartwarming moments. But there’s another side that people don’t talk about much. Behaviour that can feel unusual, a bit uncomfortable, and sometimes even strangely relatable.

Across different species, there are cases where animals take away, carry, or even harm babies that aren’t theirs. It may sound extreme from a human point of view, but in the wild, these actions are not driven by emotions the way we understand them. They are guided by instinct or social strategy.

And once you start noticing it, you realize this behaviour exists in many different parts of the animal world.

Langur monkeys

Langurs are a familiar sight in many parts of India, often seen sitting quietly in groups. But within these groups, leadership plays a big role.

When a new male takes over, the infants born under the previous leader are at risk. The newcomer may carry them away or even kill them.

This behaviour is not random. It increases the chances of mating with the females and starting a new generation.

Capuchin monkeys

Capuchins are known for their intelligence and active social life. But that also means their behaviour can get complicated.

They’ve been seen carrying infants that don’t belong to them. Often, it looks like younger monkeys are learning how to handle babies or simply engaging out of curiosity.

But such behaviour doesn’t always stay harmless. Especially when it involves infants from outside their group, the situation can turn risky.

And similar to langurs, male capuchins may also kill infants during group takeovers, again linked to reproduction and control.

Lions

In lion prides, a new male taking over is a major turning point.

One of the first changes often affects the cubs. If they were fathered by the previous male, they are at risk.

This behaviour helps bring the females back into a reproductive state sooner, giving the new male a chance to pass on his genes.

Dolphins

Dolphins are often seen as gentle and social, but their behaviour around calves can sometimes be surprising.

They have been observed carrying babies that are not their own, and in some cases, even calves from other species.

This does not seem to come from aggression. It is often linked to maternal instinct or curiosity.

There are also rare instances where dolphins carry dead calves, including calves of other mothers, showing how strong these instincts can be.

Seals and sea lions

In large breeding colonies, things can become chaotic. There are many pups in close spaces, and mothers rely on smell to identify their own.

But in such conditions, mistakes happen.

A mother may end up feeding or carrying a pup that isn’t hers. In some cases, females that have lost their pups begin to care for others.

It may look like adoption, but it often starts with simple confusion.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available reports and observations of animal behaviour. Terms like “kidnapping” or “abduction” are used for ease of understanding and do not reflect human emotions or intent. Such behaviour is driven by instinct and survival, and may not be seen in all situations or across all animals.Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)