Ndakasi was only two months old in 2007 when Virunga rangers found her clinging to her dead mother, who had been shot by armed militia. The infant gorilla was taken to a rescue center in Goma where she first met Bauma, who would become her caretaker for more than a decade.
"All night long, Andre held the baby close to him, keeping her tiny body tightly against his bare chest for warmth and comfort."
Bauma said it was a privilege to support and care for Ndakasi throughout her life and their friendship helped him understand the connection between humans and Great Apes.
"I loved her like a child and her cheerful personality brought a smile to my face every time I interacted with her," Bauma said. "She will be missed by all of us at Virunga but we are forever grateful for the richness Ndakasi brought to our lives during her time at Senkwekwe."
BucketFullOfRats on October 6th, 2021 at 22:30 UTC »
Bro why you got to do this to me at half past 11 bro
Shelldazy62 on October 6th, 2021 at 22:33 UTC »
I'm all teary. I love gorillas.
PanickedPoodle on October 6th, 2021 at 23:28 UTC »
Wow, this is so lovely and so sad:
https://www.insider.com/gorilla-dies-in-arms-of-same-ranger-who-rescued-her-as-baby