Scott Brown, Motherhood (ANIMAL & NATURE 2026)

Motherhood takes many forms across the mammal world, yet one constant remains: an unwavering devotion to the next generation. From a Royal Bengal tigress guiding and protecting her cub through the forests of Pench National Park, to a pygmy hippopotamus and her calf resting together in a tranquil pool, and a Tasmanian pademelon nurturing her joey in the Australian bush, each species shares the same instinctive bond between mother and offspring. Perhaps the most relatable example, however, is found in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee. Sharing approximately 98% of our DNA, chimpanzees reveal striking similarities in the way they nurture, protect, and teach their young. In these moments of tenderness and care, the boundaries between humans and the rest of the animal kingdom seem to disappear, reminding us that the love between a mother and her child is both universal and deeply rooted in our shared evolutionary story.

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