This is the touching moment a 37-year-old gorilla is spotted sharing a tender moment with a 63-year-old animal conservationist by stealing his baseball hat before leaning in for a heartfelt embrace.
This heartwarming encounter occurred on Nov. 11 at Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury, Kent, South East England. In the video, the chairman of The Aspinall Foundation, Damien Aspinall, is seen crouching in front of a gorilla named Tambabi, sharing a special moment.
In the video, Tambabi is also heard grunting and gurgling. According to the park’s spokesperson, these are “very loving sounds” indicative of the gorilla’s special and rare bond with Mr. Aspinall.
“Tambabi and this family of gorillas only interact in this way with Damian and his conservationist daughter Freya Aspinall,” the spokesperson said. “Tambabi has known both Damien and Freya since her birth.”
The park doesn’t encourage such a close encounter between Tambabi and anyone else.
“It’s not something Damian would encourage other people to do as they are wild animals and not pets,” the spokesperson said. “This relationship is only possible through a lifetime of mutual trust, no training or taming. No shortcuts. No tricks.”
