Wildlife’s unexpected friendships never cease to amaze. A 450-pound gorilla cuddling a 0.5-pound wild bushbaby is a sight to behold.
Wildlife’s unexpected friendships never cease to amaze. A 450-pound gorilla cuddling a 0.5-pound wild bushbaby is a sight to behold. Ape Action Africa, in Cameroon, is a sanctuary for endangered primates such as gorillas, chimpanzees, and monkeys. The Western Lowland Gorilla was one of the center’s inaugural inhabitants in 1996. He came to the sanctuary when he was 2 years old, after losing his mother to poaching. Bobo wasn’t the strong, domineering male he is now.
Bobo is a kind giant, despite his bold appearance. His tenderness lately has awed the sanctuary’s staff. The caretakers couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw Bobo cuddling his newest and most peculiar friend—a wild bush baby. “This week, Bobo made an unexpected new playmate-a wild bush baby!” Ape Action Africa said on Facebook. “Caregivers discovered him cuddling the baby ape during their morning checks and were amazed.”
Probably in Bobo’s group enclosure. Even so, it’s fascinating to see it connect so warmly with its giant companions. “The jungle infant showed no fear of Bobo,” said Elissa O’Sullivan of Ape Action Africa. “He hopped around in an open grassy area before returning to Bobo.” Because wild bushes are generally nocturnal, seeing a bush kid with a group of gorillas in daylight was exciting to the keepers. An employee stated it was unusual to see a bush baby during the day. “A wild primate has never interacted with a rescued animal at Mefou Sanctuary.”
The other gorillas—three females and three young boys—flocked to Bobo’s new pal. But Bobo felt protective of his small friend and kept his gang away. His group-mates were intrigued, especially his favorite female, Avishag, but Bobo kept them at a distance, making sure no one disturbed his new acquaintance. “The small bush baby ran off to look at the grass in the next field before coming back to Bobo’s hand.”
