Mountain gorilla, Ndakasi became the face of gorillas after the internet fell in love with her following rangers posting a selfie with her in 2019. In recent news, the beloved Ndakasi has passed away as a result of a prolonged illness.
According to Eminetra, Ndakasi died in the arms of her keeper, Andre Bauma, who saved her when she was a baby in the gorilla orphanage at Virunga National Park. This is Africa’s oldest national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bauma looked after Ndakasi ever since he found her clinging to her mother’s lifeless body, after allegedly being gunned down by armed militia hours earlier, and took her to the centre that is well known for taking care of orphaned mountain gorillas, reports NBC News.
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“With no other family members present, rangers quickly recuperated the infant gorilla and transferred her to a rescue center in Goma, where she was first introduced to Andre. All night long, Andre held the baby close to him, keeping her tiny body tightly against his bare chest for warmth and comfort. She survived. She went on to live a peaceful life with other orphaned mountain gorillas for over a decade,” says The Gorilla Organisation as per their Facebook page.
Gorilla Organization director, Jillian Miller expressed great sadness after losing Ndakasi by saying: “It is truly heart-breaking that we have lost this precious gorilla. We are grateful to all the rangers in Virunga National Park, and in particular Andre who provided Ndakasi comfort and care and offered her a second chance. We will continue to do all we can to ensure a future for the last remaining gorillas”, concluded Gorilla Organization director, Jillian Miller.
Picture: Virunga National Park