A gorilla named Parry will never again have to endure life alone. And, his reaction to being introduced to another gorilla clearly conveys how excited he is about the prospect.
When the gorilla was just a baby, his mother was killed by poachers and he was kept as a pet. After Parry outgrew his caretakers, however, he was abandoned.
Thankfully, the approximately five-year-old ape was discovered by villagers in Cameroon. The gorilla – who had gown accustomed to human interaction – was hungrily eating mangoes from a tree. That was the moment his life changed forever.
As The Dodo reported in June, Parry didn’t seem to belong anywhere at first. His chances of survival in the wild were low, as he had lived his life among humans. More than likely, he would have been poached for his meat, a common occurrence in many countries in Africa.
That’s why his rescuers transported him to the Mefou Primate Sanctuary, run by Ape Action Africa. There, the gorilla lived in isolation until he was strong and healthy enough to meet other gorillas.
That day finally arrived this week!
Ape Action Africa wrote on its Facebook page:
“After weeks of watching and waiting, Parry has finally met his new friend Chris. The two gorillas have been living in sight of each other since Parry was rescued in June, but were not able to meet until Parry had completed his quarantine period. Parry has been fascinated by Chris, offering him play gestures from afar.”
The joy displayed on the gorillas’ faces is unmistakable. Reportedly, the duo “hit it off instantly.”
Photos were shared of the pair playing and wrestling until they collapsed with exhaustion.
When Parry was first rescued, the organization wrote:
“We can never replace the family that Parry has lost, but we have made a lifelong commitment to providing him with friendship and happiness amongst our other gorilla orphans.”
Thanks to the wildlife advocates, apes like Parry have a place to go after they’ve been torn from their mothers and kept as pets – which unfortunately happens far too often. You can learn more about Ape Action Africa by visiting its website and Facebook page.
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