59-Year-Old Dying Chimp Refuses Food, But Then She Recognizes Her Old Caretaker’s Voice
This is Mama, a 59 year-old chimpanzee who was matriarch of the colony at the Royal Burgers Zoo in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The colony is famous as the basis of groundbreaking research involving primate behavior, resulting in the book Chimpanzee Politics by Frans De Waal.
Back in April 2016 she was coming to the end of her life, sick and unable to eat. On hearing the news, co-founder of the colony and professor of behavioral biology Jan van Hooff came back to visit Mama and pay his last respects. He had known her since 1972 and the pair shared a deep bond.
At first Mama, weak and seemingly accepting of her nearing end, didn’t recognize Jan. When she does though, the emotions are clear for all to see and are just a thing of beauty. Watch the video below to see the amazing bond that can be forged between animals and humans, and don’t forget the Kleenex.
Mama passed away peacefully one week later.
H/t: Laughing Squid
This is Mama, a 59 year-old chimpanzee who was matriarch of the colony at the Royal Burgers Zoo in Arnhem, the Netherlands
She was coming to the end of her life, sick and unable to eat
Hearing the news, her old friend Professor Jan van Hooff came back to visit Mama and pay his last respects
At first Mama, weak and seemingly accepting of her nearing end, didn’t recognize Jan
When she does though, the emotions are clear for all to see
They had known each other since 1972 and they shared a deep bond
Watch the video below to see the amazing bond that can be forged between animals and humans, and don’t forget the Kleenex
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This is so pure and heart warming, it just made me feel that there is still humanity in this world...
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All animals are better people than most people
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i'm not crying YOU ARE CRYING WE ARE ALL CRYING ohmygod even Mama is crying :'(
This hit a little close to home... Had a cat that had advanced kidney disease, she used to clench, knead my finger every time I put it under her paw. During her last few hours she was no longer responsive. I was sitting next to her on the floor placing my finger under her paw, but just before she took her last breath, she clenched my finger tightly like she used to. That moment still freakin' makes me cry to this day.
'do you have that' 'i have some great shots' somewhat diminishes the pureness if this video...
Not really. I'd probably say the same if I was being filmed saying goodbye to a dying relative.
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Those of us who have had close relationships with our animal companions have known of this incredible bond probably since cave=man days..But what is so baffling is what took the "scientists", "behaviorists", "researchers" so long to acknowledge? Even worse, why is there so much disdain of animal appreciators by those who don't know, understand and/or acknowledge these closely held companionships? Jealousy? Perhaps. I chose to believe ignorance and/or lack of the compassion required to have close relationships of ANY kind.
This is such a emotionally intense video.. compassion in animals is unmatched.. it made me cry but at the same time it felt warm...
Poor baby was refusing food and water so she would die faster, she must be in so much pain :(
Chimps, monkeys, orangutans are probably some of the most humane creatures out there. Sometimes more than humans. I cried at this video
Humane!?! Chimpanzees live in strict hierarchical societies based on dominance. They routinely attack other troops of chimpanzee killing them all. If a Alpha Male Chimp is deposed the new Alpha Male will kill any babies he fathered. There are 156 species of monkeys, none will not routinely attack humans (They cannot be domesticated) some such as Baboons are as vicious as it gets.
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F*****g hell I'm not one to get emotional but damn that got right in the feels... mainly because I can't even imagine a world without my little Mishka... (that's my baby girl staffie/chihuahua)
Took me 3 tries to see this all the way through but I’m so glad I did. This gave me hope that there’s still kindness & selflessness in this unkind & selfish world..thank you, Dr. &Mama, R.I.P...I still cry for you.
I started crying real quick. Animals love UNCONDITIONALLY. She's at peace.
A primordial "awareness" of an impending death in our closest relative and a exemplary display of a social bond! Amazing.
Video keeps buffering, but being Dutch I can look it up at the zoo's site and understand what is being said.
kleenex?? pfffff come on! I don't need kleenex... I need sheets! lots of them! Y_Y
That is so beautiful the love they both showed each other. It made me cry
If it hadn't lived in a zoo it probably wouldn't have lived such a long life... Not saying it was better, but definitely longer.
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So easy to offer advice of varying types - most diabetics know what causes the disease and how to get it under control, but that does not make it any easier. He enjoyed his food and being that size and now he is bravely accepting it. I saw let him get on with life and if he wants to do something, he will.
I give up...the clock just spins and no video happens. You purveyors of click-bait should really find some IT professionals to create your sites. I'm kicking Bored Panda to the curb now...bye, bye.
This is so pure and heart warming, it just made me feel that there is still humanity in this world...
Load More Replies... All animals are better people than most people
Load More Replies... i'm not crying YOU ARE CRYING WE ARE ALL CRYING ohmygod even Mama is crying :'(
This hit a little close to home... Had a cat that had advanced kidney disease, she used to clench, knead my finger every time I put it under her paw. During her last few hours she was no longer responsive. I was sitting next to her on the floor placing my finger under her paw, but just before she took her last breath, she clenched my finger tightly like she used to. That moment still freakin' makes me cry to this day.
'do you have that' 'i have some great shots' somewhat diminishes the pureness if this video...
Not really. I'd probably say the same if I was being filmed saying goodbye to a dying relative.
Load More Replies... Those of us who have had close relationships with our animal companions have known of this incredible bond probably since cave=man days..But what is so baffling is what took the "scientists", "behaviorists", "researchers" so long to acknowledge? Even worse, why is there so much disdain of animal appreciators by those who don't know, understand and/or acknowledge these closely held companionships? Jealousy? Perhaps. I chose to believe ignorance and/or lack of the compassion required to have close relationships of ANY kind.
This is such a emotionally intense video.. compassion in animals is unmatched.. it made me cry but at the same time it felt warm...
Poor baby was refusing food and water so she would die faster, she must be in so much pain :(
Chimps, monkeys, orangutans are probably some of the most humane creatures out there. Sometimes more than humans. I cried at this video
Humane!?! Chimpanzees live in strict hierarchical societies based on dominance. They routinely attack other troops of chimpanzee killing them all. If a Alpha Male Chimp is deposed the new Alpha Male will kill any babies he fathered. There are 156 species of monkeys, none will not routinely attack humans (They cannot be domesticated) some such as Baboons are as vicious as it gets.
Load More Replies... F*****g hell I'm not one to get emotional but damn that got right in the feels... mainly because I can't even imagine a world without my little Mishka... (that's my baby girl staffie/chihuahua)
Took me 3 tries to see this all the way through but I’m so glad I did. This gave me hope that there’s still kindness & selflessness in this unkind & selfish world..thank you, Dr. &Mama, R.I.P...I still cry for you.
I started crying real quick. Animals love UNCONDITIONALLY. She's at peace.
A primordial "awareness" of an impending death in our closest relative and a exemplary display of a social bond! Amazing.
Video keeps buffering, but being Dutch I can look it up at the zoo's site and understand what is being said.
kleenex?? pfffff come on! I don't need kleenex... I need sheets! lots of them! Y_Y
That is so beautiful the love they both showed each other. It made me cry
If it hadn't lived in a zoo it probably wouldn't have lived such a long life... Not saying it was better, but definitely longer.
Load More Replies... So easy to offer advice of varying types - most diabetics know what causes the disease and how to get it under control, but that does not make it any easier. He enjoyed his food and being that size and now he is bravely accepting it. I saw let him get on with life and if he wants to do something, he will.
I give up...the clock just spins and no video happens. You purveyors of click-bait should really find some IT professionals to create your sites. I'm kicking Bored Panda to the curb now...bye, bye.
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