Sometimes animals become orphaned and rely on the kindness of humans to survive. Fortunately, there are many people who dedicate their lives to caring for these animals and can be like parents to them.
The trust between these animals and their caretakers was illustrated by a viral photo showing two orphaned gorillas posing for a “selfie” with one of their rescuers.
Unfortunately, one of these gorillas recently passed away, and another photo shows that her bond with her human friends lasted until the bitter end.
Found as an orphan
Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is dedicated to protecting the local wildlife, including a population of endangered mountain gorillas constantly threatened by illegal poaching.
In April 2007, park rangers came across a heart-wrenching sight: a two-month-old baby gorilla clinging to the lifeless body of her mother, who had been shot by an armed militia.
Knowing the gorilla was orphaned, they took her in, and ranger Andre Bauma immediately formed a bond with her: “All night long, André held the baby close to him, cradling her small body firmly against his bare chest for warmth and solace,” Virunga said in a press release.
The orphaned gorilla, named Ndakasi, has built a happy life in the park. She lives with another orphan named Ndeze and still maintains a close bond with her caretakers.
Selfie seen around the world
The whole world got to see that bond in 2019, when a unique and beautiful photo of the gorillas went viral.
In the photo, Ndakasi and Ndeze are posing for a “selfie” with their friend and caretaker Mathieu Shamavu. The gorillas are both standing upright and casually posing for the fun photo:
The photo went around the world, and many people couldn’t believe it was real. But the photo showed how close and trusting the bond was between these gorillas and their human caretakers.
“Those gorilla girls always pose bravely, so this was the perfect shot of their true personalities!” the park wrote on Instagram.
“I’m still close to them, and they’re doing well,” Mathieu told The Dodo.
Unfortunately, Ndakasi passed away on September 26, after a prolonged illness, the park announced.
But one bittersweet, heartbreaking photo shows that she did not die alone: she was in the arms of her lifelong friend Andre Bauma, the same ranger who cradled her as an orphan many years ago.
“It was a privilege to support and care for such a loving creature, especially knowing the trauma Ndakasi faced at a very young age,” André said in a statement. “It was Ndakasi’s gentle nature and intelligence that helped me understand the connection between humans and apes and why we must do everything in our power to protect them.”
“I am proud to call Ndakasi my friend. I loved her as a child, and her cheerful personality brought a smile to my face every time I interacted with her.”
The park also fondly recalled the selfie that made her famous, saying it helped spread a positive message about gorillas and their caretakers.
“Their playful nature was a reminder to the world of how much we see ourselves in these animals, and it is one of the reasons André Bauma will be so dearly missed,” Virunga wrote.
Rest in peace, Ndakasi. Two beautiful photos show how close and loving the bond between orphaned animals and their human caretakers can be. We know she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
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