Internet Explorer is not supported by this site and Microsfot has stopped releasing updates, therefore you may encounter issues whilst visiting this site and we strongly recommend that you upgrade your browser for modern web functionality, a better user experience and improved security.
Watch the heartbreaking moment as a dying chimpanzee recognises an old human friend before smiling and hugging him.
Dying chimp recognises old friend in emotional reunion
Mama, 59 years old and the oldest chimpanzee and matriarch of the famous chimpanzee colony of the Royal Burgers Zoo in Arnhem, the Netherlands, was gravely ill. Jan van Hooff (emeritus professor behavioural biology in Utrecht University and co-founder of the Burgers’ colony) who has known mamma since 1972, visited her in the week before she died of old age in April 2016. It took a while before she became aware of Jan’s presence. Her reaction was extremely emotional and heartbreaking. Mamma played an important social role in the colony. This has been described in “Chimpanzee Politics” by Franz de Waal, who studied the colony since 1974.
Dying chimpanzee reunites with old friend In her final days after half-a-century of life in captivity, an old friend comes to say farewell. Scroll down to see Jan van Hooff’s full, original video of the encounter. Source: Facebook/TheEpochTimes
Jan van Hooff’s original footage of the emotional encounter If you still think animals have no feelings after watching this… it may be you who has no feelings. Source: YouTube/JanARAMvanHooff
There are many things you can do to improve the well-being of chimpanzees, whether in the wild or in captivity. Click for some suggestions from the Jane Goodall Institute.