24-Year-Old Dominant Gorilla Meets A Tiny Creature In The Forest, And His Reaction Is Priceless
Ape Action Africa, a non-profit dedicated to the conservation of endangered gorillas, chimpanzees, and monkeys, was founded in 1996, but their ape inhabitants are still finding new ways to surprise these experienced caregivers. Recently, Bobo, a Western Lowland Gorilla that was rescued by the organization in the same 1996, made a new friend, and their relationship is probably the most unusual you could imagine.
“On his morning checks, our gorilla caregiver discovered Bobo cradling a young, wild bush baby,” Ape Action Africa spokeswoman Elissa O’Sullivan told Bored Panda. “The bush baby showed no fear of Bobo, moving around his body and spending time hopping around in an open grassy area, before choosing to return to Bobo.”
You see, Bobo is the dominant male of his group, which includes 3 females and 3 males. Younger males Kibu and Nkamum have challenged Bobo for his position, but were never successful and no longer attempt to take control. Now, however, it is clear that the giant has a gentle side too.
“Bush babies are usually nocturnal, so it is very rare to see one during the day. We have never witnessed a wild primate interacting with a rescued one at Mefou Sanctuary.”
Even Bobo’s gang was interested in what was happening. “Bobo’s group-mates were curious about the bush baby and hoped that he might share it with them, but Bobo kept the bush baby to himself.” All in all, they spent at least two hours together before Bobo returned his new friend to a set of trees within his enclosure, and the bush baby disappeared from view.
With more than 300 primates in its care, Ape Action Africa is now one of the largest conservation projects of its kind in Africa. Many of the animals find themselves at the sanctuary as orphans, due mainly to the illegal bushmeat and pet trades. Both threats have grown in recent years as a result of deforestation, and international demand for exotic meat and live animals as pets and zoo exhibits. To learn more about their fight and donate to the cause, click here.
More info: apeactionafrica.org | Facebook
This is Bobo, a 24-year-old Western Lowland Gorilla that was rescued by Ape Action Africa in 1996
Image credits: Apes Like Us/Gerry Ellis
Recently, Bobo made a new friend, and their unusual relationship surprised everyone
Image credits: Ape Action Africa/Alex Benitez
“On his morning checks, our gorilla caregiver discovered Bobo cradling a young, wild bush baby”
Image credits: Ape Action Africa/Alex Benitez
“The bush baby showed no fear of Bobo, moving around his body and spending time hopping around in an open grassy area, before choosing to return to Bobo”
Image credits: Ape Action Africa/Alex Benitez
“Bobo’s group-mates were curious about the bush baby and hoped that he might share it with them, but Bobo kept the bush baby to himself”
Image credits: Ape Action Africa/Alex Benitez
They spent at least two hours together before Bobo returned his new friend to a set of trees within his enclosure, and the bush baby disappeared from view
Watch the videos below to learn more about the duo
Image credits: Ape Action Africa/Alex Benitez
Image credits: Ape Action Africa/Alex Benitez
Image credits: Ape Action Africa/Alex Benitez
People immediately fell in love with the gentle giant and the bush baby
"Hi, Disney? I've got an idea for a film I think you might like..."
Bushy and Bobo :).
Dominates box office opening week.
Make this happen, please!!
... and there is nothing I can say that will top this. Perfect in so many ways. What a heart warming story and it deserves to be immortalized.
Animals have such kind hearts. We don't give them enough credit.
They´re so much better than us!
have you ever watched chimpanzees attack tree monkeys and rival clans (spoiler: chimps are cannibals ). Kind and much better are not words coming to mind when discussing animals...however, it's clear bobo understands his capabilities...
MJ Beecker Their instinct is to survive... they might kill in order to... I have no doubt they might kill with no reason at all... humans have instincts too, and enough intelligence to understand why we can´t kill each other... and look around: people killing people with no reason at all again and again.
smh, your understanding of science scares me speechless...
Some animals. Higher primates and other mammals. But most would have eaten it. Snakes, reptiles, etc.
I do.
I do :)
Aw... this reminds me of Koko with her kitties.
Yes totally reminds me of Koko too- She loved her kitties! RIP Koko
I had no idea Koko died this year. This makes me so so sad. ; (
Pls don't mention Koko. It makes me so sad
Sorry :( Me too. I cried like a baby when she died. If you ever feel like REALLY crying, watch the clip of her and Mr. Rogers.
Two beautiful hearts, now gone. RIP. When it comes time for me to go on a lovely stroll upstairs into a sweet local park called Heaven, I'm giving them and a few other select people the biggest, warmest thank-you hugs ever hugged by mankind itself.
"Hi, Disney? I've got an idea for a film I think you might like..."
Bushy and Bobo :).
Dominates box office opening week.
Make this happen, please!!
... and there is nothing I can say that will top this. Perfect in so many ways. What a heart warming story and it deserves to be immortalized.
Animals have such kind hearts. We don't give them enough credit.
They´re so much better than us!
have you ever watched chimpanzees attack tree monkeys and rival clans (spoiler: chimps are cannibals ). Kind and much better are not words coming to mind when discussing animals...however, it's clear bobo understands his capabilities...
MJ Beecker Their instinct is to survive... they might kill in order to... I have no doubt they might kill with no reason at all... humans have instincts too, and enough intelligence to understand why we can´t kill each other... and look around: people killing people with no reason at all again and again.
smh, your understanding of science scares me speechless...
Some animals. Higher primates and other mammals. But most would have eaten it. Snakes, reptiles, etc.
I do.
I do :)
Aw... this reminds me of Koko with her kitties.
Yes totally reminds me of Koko too- She loved her kitties! RIP Koko
I had no idea Koko died this year. This makes me so so sad. ; (
Pls don't mention Koko. It makes me so sad
Sorry :( Me too. I cried like a baby when she died. If you ever feel like REALLY crying, watch the clip of her and Mr. Rogers.
Two beautiful hearts, now gone. RIP. When it comes time for me to go on a lovely stroll upstairs into a sweet local park called Heaven, I'm giving them and a few other select people the biggest, warmest thank-you hugs ever hugged by mankind itself.