The much-loved mountain gorilla who became famous worldwide after taking a selfie with an anti-poaching ranger died at the age of 14. The beautiful creature died in the arms of the man who had saved her as a baby. Virunga National Park posted a heartbreaking picture of the two lifelong friends bonding for the last time on Instagram. Before she died, Ndakasi could be seen resting her head on her caretaker and protector, Andre Bauma.
A selfie of the two of them from a few years ago went viral. The touching words said, “It is with deep sadness that Virunga announces the death of beloved orphaned mountain gorilla Ndakasi, who had been cared for by the Park’s Senkwekwe Center for more than a decade.” “On the evening of September 26, Ndakasi died in the loving arms of her caretaker and lifelong friend, Andre Bauma. She had been sick for a long time, and her condition quickly worsened. Like the other primates who live in the Virunga Park in the Congo, Ndakasi was a sign of hope and determination. Poaching, this is a great example of how much these beautiful animals have to go through.
When Ndakasi was only two months old, she was brought to the Senkwekwe Center in Viruga park. When she was young, she lost her mother because of poaching, and park rangers saved her. Over 600 dedicated rangers are always ready to put their lives on the line to protect Viruga’s mountain gorillas, an endangered species. The deep and special bond the rangers have with these innocent souls is shown by the beautiful friendship between Ndakasi and Andre.
