Ndakasi, the mountain gorilla whose selfie made him famous worldwide, died at the age of fourteen in the arms of his beloved caretaker Andre Bouma.
The friendship between Ndakasi and Bouma blossomed in 2007 when he discovered the then two-month-old gorilla clinging to the lifeless body of its mother.
In 2019, Ndakasi and the orphaned female gorilla Ndeze were taken to Virunga Park.
Their fame began after a selfie of the couple went viral on the Internet. Published in 2019
Photo
showed park ranger Mathieu Shamava posing for a selfie with Ndakasi and Ndese standing behind him. But perhaps the viewer’s attention was mainly focused on Ndakasi, who was looking over her left shoulder, peering into the camera with her chin down.
After fourteen years of her remarkable life, Ndakasi “took her last breath” on September 26 after battling “a long illness during which her condition rapidly deteriorated,” the park said.
Along with the announcement, park officials shared a heartbreaking photo of the majestic animal uniting with his lifelong friend for the last time. Ndakasi rested her head on Bouma’s chest as he held her hand. This scene reminded us of what happened fourteen years ago, when Bouma held her tightly in his chest, soothing her from motherly worries.
“It has been an honor to support and care for such a loving being, especially given the trauma Ndakasi suffered at a very young age,” Bouma told the media. “You could say she took after her mother Nyiransekue, whose name means “person who welcomes others.”
“It was Ndakasi’s sweet nature and intelligence that helped me understand the connection between humans and great apes and why we must do everything in our power to protect them.”
He shared: “I am proud to call Ndakasi my friend. I loved her like a child and her bubbly personality brought a smile to my face every time I interacted with her.”
“She will be missed by all of us in Virunga, but we will always be grateful for the richness that Ndakasi brought into our lives during her time at Senkwekwe.”
Ndakasi, like other mountain gorillas, are at risk of being poached for food and trade. More than 600 rangers work hard every day to protect the lives of these gentle giants in Virunga Park, Congo.
We will never forget such a great friendship between man and animals, like the friendship between Ndakasi and Bauma.
H/T:aubtu
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