Ndakasi, a mountain gorilla whose image went viral when she photobombed her caretaker’s selfie, has died at the age of 14.
She died on September 26 after a prolonged illness, according to a statement published Tuesday by the Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that Virunga announces the death of beloved orphaned mountain gorilla, Ndakasi, who had been under the care of the Park’s Senkwekwe Center for more than a decade,” the park said.
“She died in the loving arms of her caretaker and lifelong friend, Andre Bauma.”
Bauma had looked after Ndakasi ever since rangers found her clinging to the body of her dead mother in 2007, when she was just two months old.
Too vulnerable to return to the wild, Ndakasi lived with other orphaned mountain gorillas until her death.
“It was a privilege to support and care for such a loving creature, especially knowing the trauma Ndakasi suffered at a very young age. It was Ndakasi’s sweet nature and intelligence that helped me to understand the connection between humans and Great Apes and why we should do everything in our power to protect them,” Bauma said in the statement.
Gorillas perfect their selfie style in photo with park ranger
Gorillas perfect their selfie style in photo with park ranger
“I am proud to have called Ndakasi my friend. I loved her like a child and her cheerful personality brought a smile to my face every time I interacted with her. She will be missed by all of us at Virunga but we are forever grateful for the richness Ndakasi brought to our lives during her time at Senkwekwe.”
Ndakasi featured in several TV shows and films, including a documentary named “Virunga,” but it was her photobomb in 2019 that brought her global fame.
Source: CNN