Gorilla Reunion: Damian Aspinall's Extraordinary Gorilla Encounter on Gorilla School

[@mchapman132]

He looked at his old friend with such love and devotion. When he hugged him and didn’t want him to leave, made me cry. Beautiful.

[@tsommers3284]

It broke my heart to see him hugging him so tightly as if he was begging him not to leave. They are amazing, truly remarkable. I have watch almost every primate video out there and this one is hands down my favorite one!!

[@BearsDontStack]

What are some other primate videos that you'd recommend?

[@darker2840]

@@BearsDontStack this kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6W7k6xpqdyAo6s

[@joeschmo9838]

​@@BearsDontStack Bonobos gone wild kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3q4hZmfZ9Rjr9k

[@karynromeis8897]

This is so lovely, but my heart aches for the gorilla who no doubt mourned when Damian left again. The way he clung to him, it's clear he didn't want him to go - that he had missed him.

[@MikeySkywalker]

He saved the Gorilla, brought it to a SANCTUARY and the Gorilla has his own family and life now. His wife was pregnant. Is Damien supposed to stay forever or take him back to England? When Kwibi's first son matures he will be kicked out of the troop to start his own troop. Then Kwibi will have more kids.

[@GuyG.KTalesOfAnimals]

Some times it is good to reunite with a long time loved one than not, I know that as humans we tend to not want to go through the heartbreak again and we’re so in it so we forget to realize that that experience has strengthened out perception about the world, but it truly can be healing when it happens. Won’t you like to meet up with a good childhood mutual again than not to?

[@captaindaddy8645]

he wont have time to mourn for long. he has wives to maintain. wives.

[@blschafer4310]

Its cruel and selfish to put this gorilla thru this.

[@indianclassicallibrary9682]

He’s not a pet . It’s love from a friend the gorilla is free he’s not dependent on his father anymore ❤this is love ❤️

[@RubbaDUBVideos]

It's beautiful, but I got really sad at the fact he left the gorilla at the end. He was so happy to see him, who knows how long he sat waiting for his friend to come back after they'd gone?

[@jrmayun]

Yeah same thought here ;__;

[@Venom8419]

I agree it's sad to think of the gorilla having separation anxiety, but I'm sure he would then realise he also has a family who needs him more so would have returned to his family possibly hours after the conservationist and the film crew left him.

[@eltorpedo67]

***** You'd like to think that, but the sad truth is most of these gorillas were killed not long after this video, most likely by poachers, who these gorillas wouldn't have feared, because they were raised in captivity and used to humans. It was completely irresponsible to return them to the wild to fend for themselves.

[@eltorpedo67]

***** They'd still be alive. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2745471/Damian-Aspinall-raised-gorillas-Kent-zoo-killed-returned-jungle.html www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/15/1371165/-Damian-Aspinall-Kills-His-Gorillas www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/five-gorillas-raised-in-kent-23035/

[@jterranova]

crippen I don't think that is at all true.

[@WarwickkkT101]

It's been 5 more years, time for another visit.

[@Cambz]

WarwickkkT101 lol

[@suzybishop6400]

WarwickkkT101 Maybe the gorilla's dead :'(

[@WarwickkkT101]

Mark Delos Santos Yeah he probably committed suicide after the guy just left him again.

[@hotdogsvin]

WarwickkkT101 I shouldn't laugh at this, but my God, I died when I read it.

[@WarwickkkT101]

hotdogsvin now he's got two deaths on his hands.

[@cindihere]

Everytime I watch this video, I end up in tears. The ache of the goodbye at the end gets to me. Bless him.

[@BaronNate]

To him, you were family and he didn't wanna let you go. His thoughts are, "why can't you just stay and live here with us?" He truly saw you as one of his people. Just seeing him watching from the bushes hurt my heart knowing he will miss you deeply. Apes love their families very deeply and you are family to him. That's why he hugged you tight and held on for dear life.

[@slamminx3]

Its been another 5 years since this video. You should go back and see him again.

[@Hollyweed1]

And spend another 5 minutes with him.

[@KiLL3RiFiCATiON]

+Hollyweed and feed him a $5 footlong

[@AnimeslLoveAnime]

+Kill3rification 5

[@AnimeslLoveAnime]

+Kill3rification 5 dollar

[@AnimeslLoveAnime]

+Kill3rification 5 dollar foot loooooooooong

[@DeeRayson]

This is such an emotional video. It is a reminder to everyone that animals have emotions just like humans. Often people imagine that animal cruelty is less offensive than human cruelty, we are all part of nature's divine essence and all species should be treated as equally important.

[@hallgrace1983]

I literally cried my eyes out - these creatures are just so beautiful and to think that there are places in the world where they are not treated as intelligent beings breaks my heart.

[@m.j.b.g.-m.1481]

The older I get, the more I realise that some animals would probably make better friends than most humans do. Here you can see a "dangerous" wild gorilla just recognising his former "dad" who had raised him for a while and had released him back to the wild. The gorilla shows more appreciation, thankfulness, sympathy and affection in his actions than most people do when you had helped or been there for them when they needed you.

[@tai1960]

It's terribly sad for Kwibi though, isn't it? Aspinall left him for 5 years, and then returned, only to leave him again. Kwibi introduced Aspinall to his new family, and then held onto him, trying to get him to stay. He followed him all the way back to camp, and cried out for him all through the night. I can't help but think this was a cruel thing to do to Kwibi. At the end of the video he looks confused, and sad.

[@trendmassacre8423]

The gorilla knows that they both live a totally different lifestyle, and he knows that Damian will return one day to visit again. No need to start drama, and there was NO cruelty! That word is used very loosely in todays society!

[@divinejacobmathew1503]

If anything i think it's cruel to keep them in cages rather than letting them live in their natural habitat.

[@LetsGoGetThem]

Much like a human he didnt want a friend to leave. They get over it like humans do.

[@dronb2106]

@@trendmassacre8423 it's just that some people are more sensitive

[@thomasdailey7242]

Your dad coms to visit, your sad when he leaves. Just like us. He has a wife and family & connected with a group. Ape's like being Ape's. He's free and healthy. Chill.

[@illustratz]

So unbelievably touching -- his joy is so palpable -- and yes, I cried, too. To him, it was his father coming home -- he thought he was lost forever, and he CAME HOME!!!!

[@glyndewis]

Beautiful!!!!

[@twizzle1952]

Wow, what a lovely story. Brings a lump in your throat

[@davet3530]

Incredibly moving - thanks for the re-share Glyn.

[@ninaflo769]

So touching . He was looking at him just the way a mom or dad looks at you when they have not seen you in a long time to be sure you are ok.... love made me very tearful to know they really remember like us.

[@Wes_Jones]

Made me cry a bit

[@glyndewis]

Very moving huh :)

[@alleiaegeria]

This is so moving and beautiful. It made me cry too! How can they say animals have no consciousness? It obviously suits us to believe that so that we can go on maltreating them. Cousin, this is wonderful.

[@zachshaw951]

You can see how much losing a loved one hurts, even if you aren't human.

[@circlecloud11]

He couldn't even bare to let him out of his grasp.

[@SuperFranji]

This has got to be one of the most stunning bits of film footage showing the bond that can be created between animal and human - very moving and inspiring. I'm sure we can all have this inter-species connection when we open our hearts and let go of our sense of difference.

[@KaptifLaDistillerie]

I wish that, instead of ads, we would have this kind of videos on TV in between movies and shows. I guarantee that most people would feel the need to make sure life and the environment are preserved over time. People need empathy and education.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

I've watched this video several times, and each time I get a lump in my throat, and some tears in my eyes. It is just so heart warming to see the interaction by both of them. Thanks.

[@mmichaeldonavon]

:)

[@mmichaeldonavon]

***** I had to see it all again! My eyes are full of tears, and there is this HUGE lump in my throat. I always wonder, why is that? Thanks

[@ieyraadira9645]

Me too

[@giftygifty7369]

Me too,l keep on watching it

[@emilsabatini4038]

Im a 68 year old man. This video brought me to tears!

[@TheTacoPandemic]

The ending is sad to me. They haven't seen each other in 5 years, then he gets up and leaves.He just wants to see him again!

[@shinebrightbyul]

Rob Halkett preach.

[@calsmyth4483]

Rob Halkett Then more fool you for keeping such company.

[@CC42_]

you don't know how long he was there for. Im sure he spent ample time before leaving.

[@chrisivanchev]

That's why I always say animals are better than humans. When they show love, it's sincere; however, if they mean you harm, you can feel it with your guts. My point is that there's no deception in their behavior: When they say, "I love you," they mean it; when they say, "I'm going to beat the s..t out of you," they mean it. Nice video, Thanks!

[@tsommers3284]

Chris Hristov I agree with you 100%!!

[@swagikuro]

Doesn't make them any better. This just like a child having affection for someone who provides for them. If they were as intelligent as us, they'd be just as much capable of cruelty. And much more capable of expressing their "love". Don't say stuff like that. It's dumb.

[@divinejacobmathew1503]

Chris Hristov they go live with them if they are so better than us" humans ". Tell me how that works out for you . There is deception. You just don't know about animal behaviour I guess.

[@CallHerDayli]

Yes!!!!! Wow put in that perspective! That’s so true!!!!

[@1122-z9o]

And they don't destroy nature

[@Sedonafilmer]

At 2:27 the wife flips him the bird

[@Rick-bc2ds]

lmao

[@compleckz]

+MuzikVideoMan JAHJAHAH DUDE, WHO NOTICES THAT LOL

[@TaMiCGarGit]

+MuzikVideoMan we humans soooo came from them!!! happens every time a buddy comes to visit my house LOL

[@byronbostick4310]

oh wow. I didn't notice that at first. Lol.

[@kekesdivinity9687]

Lol she sure did . She’s probably like “You don’t show me that much affection🤨 “ 🤣💗

[@sasitaolivier9644]

I watch this video many times. I love they're Gorillas. It's sweet relationship with him. I cry when i see they eyes with tear 🇹🇭😔💟✌️🙏

[@jessicadeveaux1917]

When the gorilla hugged him it almost looked like it was getting teary awe poor thing...breaks my heart ❤❣

[@RomanticRosebud]

Aww the connection between humans and animals is something special and amazing. I know it because I've lived it all my life with my dogs.

[@95Tanner]

that's because humans are animals too lol

[@MikeySkywalker]

That was so emotional and so simple.

[@matthewmangum6320]

Damian is Kwibis human dad. He could have kept him in a zoo like atmosphere in England but he honestly knew he’d be much happier in the wild. It was a great reunion though. You can see that they love each other very much. I’ve never seen a Gorilla wade waist deep in water to follow anyone. That shows you how much Kwibi loves his human dad. ❤️🦍❤️

[@boatknight2246]

I love it hes at first like who the fuck!, Then hes just like OH? hi Dad its great to see you again. Have you met the Family?. Dad? whered you go? ok guys Dads gone off so were gonna move to him. lol

[@briantneary2248]

It's moments like these that make like beautiful

[@chrisklemens]

brb while i drown in my fucking tears

[@troyano6548]

Wow... That was amazing !!

[@bellestar5960]

That’s was beautiful and had me in tears. They truly are gentle, loving, magnificent animals. ❤️🦍

[@DarkSkies72]

So beautiful. We must protect these magnificent creatures.

[@halldorarni22]

Better love story than twilight!!!

[@WaLkNCaNvAs]

That was beautiful!!

[@rons-topic1067]

In 5 months now a days lovers forget each other. It's 5 years it's amazing.

[@jakehosey1688]

Imagine how great it would be if we treated each other that way.

[@friggarhmory7571]

This just made me smile. Happy and smiling.

[@AmberU]

It is true this had to be one of the greatest experiences a person could have in a lifetime! To connect with an animal in the natural world something most ppl will never get to do!

[@stevoid99]

There cant be many humans who do not wish to high heaven they could have an experience, a connection, like this in their life

[@evandroalves506]

Beautifull and very good . Congratulations from Brazil 🇧🇷👏👏

[@christinaharzelli7683]

well...that made me shed a tear. God I love animals

[@majoglez632]

I got here almost 10 years later and im so glad i could watch this ♥️

[@yodudeisback]

Thanks, now I'm crying like a baby

[@clayguy1]

So many thumbs down... Baffling

[@brb218]

It's not that much.

[@SoulRippster]

Its videos like these that make me realize that we are indeed right not to consider ourselves as animals... they are far too noble and selfless for us to compare.

[@technogit1]

How can there be 100 "dislikes" for this video? It's the most amazing thing to see these beautiful creatures and their human friend!

[@raptor182cmn]

It's probably not what you think. People hit the dislike button for all kinds of reasons that don't actually mean they disliked the whole video. Some people are like "im sad that guy left the gorilla when it was so obvious he wanted him to stay. [dislike]." or "I wanted this video to go on for much longer, it was too short!" [dislike]. or even "this video was sweet but Im having a shit day and im cranky. [dislike]. Wait, holy moley! did i just reply to a message thats over 9 years old? Ooops!

[@brandonphipps4755]

This is beautiful. It literally brought tears to my eyes

[@pradeep1]

Wow. This video really floored me. I cried with intense emotion today. Looking forward to watching the whole documentary.

[@melanienicole422]

Their kind, loving facial expressions are amazing

[@kevindaniels7824]

I think he owed Kwibi money

[@DianePriestley]

Truly magnificent. Yes animals can feel love and compassion and bond as deeply as any human. Let's respect and care for all animals with the right to exist wild and free, without exploitation and cruelty. Congratulations on the wonderful work you are doing Damian

[@Lillian2011ful]

Damian thank you for all you are and for all you do !!! Love always

[@tuttimelon26]

Thumbs up if you shed some tears watching this! Absolutely beautiful

[@AVJ_7007]

This made me cry :(

[@Manuellaborer]

I was worked up in the senseless deaths of civilians, children, in the latest conflict in Gaza, but this video made me a bit happy, again.

[@Kuklapolitan]

The tears of joy are streaming down my face and as the salt touches my lips I am reminded of the bitter-sweetness of life. God bless you Damian Aspinall for what you have shown us today.

[@Chris.Davies]

You made me cry like a little girl! These animals require full human rights, and they deserve no less protection than the morons and idiots of our own species.

[@blendergaming1579]

Animals don't think like people nor do they feel the same way as people. There's no doubt that animals have thoughts and emotions but they are more primitive than mankind. They deserve rights but should not be treated in the same way as people, that's not to say they don't deserve respect but to treat them the same as people wouldn't be right.

[@madelineyarbrough9068]

+blendergaming why wouldn't it be right? what's the problem with granting them non-human personhood?

[@blendergaming1579]

You can't take animals out of their natural habitats. Rescuing animals and returning them or placing them on reserves is different. Wild animals are meant to be just that, wild. Once you tame them or integrate them into society then you have to care for them. That's why you can't give animals human rights. They can't take care of themselves in our world. Animals don't understand economics or going to work like people do. They live in a different way than people do.

[@TUNDRA2529]

+blendergaming uhh Chris wasn't saying we should force them to become lawyers. He's saying we shouldn't keep them locked up and test deadly chemicals on them. He also I believe is saying we should respect there land and quit deforestation in Gorilla populated areas.

[@madelineyarbrough9068]

lol. I get all of that. I don't think anybody is recommending that we assimilate wild animals into human culture. but, there is a case to be made for granting them non-human personhood regardless. it would be illegal to keep them in captivity, be used in in experiments or used for entertainment purposes. the more we learn about animals, the more granting some of them (the great apes, dolphins, elephants) rights makes ethical sense

[@gieabalos2088]

Not just the DOGS mans bestfrend but it prooves that Gorilla's too

[@TheJSB007]

We should all be living like this, we definitely need to reconsider those in power that prevent us from being as one living in harmony with nature and with each other, my heart is open as most of you on here, we are already one, peace love & light :)

[@Fadeypoo]

Beautiful put, J. peace and love brother

[@TheJSB007]

Thank you :)

[@streamofawareness]

And people say animals have no emotions. They obviously do! That was beautiful. I cried!

[@RamRaidAt4am]

very touching and all that but ultimately very unkind towards the gorilla. He abandoned him once, then comes back to meet the gorilla, who is obviously very happy to see him, then leaves him again - much to the pain / sadness of the gorilla!

[@RustyLongPipe]

Couldn't agree more, seems like the bloke satisfied his ego and then dumped him again. Pretty selfish thing to do.

[@blackeyelab]

Michael Jonas As much as I feel you and understand your comments, he raised the gorilla and protected him. He then released him into his natural habitat. The problem is raising him in the UK and then sending him away. Obviously he looked after him well. The only way would be for him to raise him in his natural habitat and live in the same area I suppose. But then us humans go through that at stages of our lives when people move on or when people look up to you. I mean i'm sure you have people you miss or who miss you.

[@veronikanapitupulu1402]

This is one of the most amazing stories I have ever known in my life. So amazing, sad, joy, love, at the same time!

[@jannimarkussen3111]

Totally broke my heart to see the gorilla aching to be with his friend :(

[@debojitdas4536]

They love better than millions humans combined

[@itsmyjourney]

Absolutely beautiful

[@dme1016]

I love these stories. Christian the lion's reunion with his handler/friends really broke me down.

[@SpencerCornelia]

dude reminds me of jude law

[@georgeimmanuel3992]

Spencer!

[@randycasey99]

I cried when I watched this! Animals are beautiful!

[@pcgarbage]

This Made Me Cry Because I Can Feel The Gorillas Heart Break At 3:07 :(

[@JacobMichaelC]

I say " who's a lovely boy?!" to my dog all the time now

[@NinjaRem09]

Meanwhile we put them in fucking cages for our entertainment.

[@briangorman9713]

incredible story. for that man to have the bravery to swim in that river ... breathtaking.

[@Whoami691]

Such majestic creatures... I cannot fathom how killing them is still not murder. They are clearly intelligent, thinking beings and more than mindless animals.

[@annaleksandra1]

+Whoami691 totally agree!

[@darbyhere]

Wow what an honour Kwibi remembered his call and who he was. I was a little nervous for Damian then he sat beside Kwibi and it all went away lol. Gorillas are so amazing, to be able to be a part of helping to save them is a job not a lot of us get a chance to be involved in. It was so beautiful to see how Kwibi remembered him and trusted Damian enough to bring his family by them. Seriously I cried lol. How lucky to have Kwibi’s trust and love, total honour. It was like Linda Koebner going back to see the chimpanzees she helped, non stop tears lol. Nothing but respect for these beautiful people, everything they do with love and compassion ❤️❤️. I feel bad when they have to leave, I can imagine that must be heartbreaking on both parts. You want to see for yourself how they are doing, like visiting an old friend, we understand they have to leave but seeing Kwibi holding him, as if saying you are not leaving me!! Very heart wrenching😭. At least with an old friend we visit, we catch up and know visits don’t happen to often but there’s still communication via phone calls, emails etc. It must be hard leaving something very close to your heart, who you always think of with love but know they are better off with their own kind. When I was a kid we lived on a farm and we befriended a duck??? I don’t know how but we did lol. Anyway every year before winter they all start flying south, our duck who we named Polly was like the last one to leave every time. We were like Polly you got to go, we were scared she wouldn’t have any other ducks to go with and would lose her way.( we were kids ok lol) get herself lost and die😢. Believe me we didn’t want her to go but we knew she had to be with her kind to survive, sometimes I think she thought we were her kind lol. She didn’t want to leave us and we didn’t want her to go either. I remember thinking I hope she knows how much we love her and think of her. Maybe Polly thought the same thing of us? Eventually she would go, we always checked the pond hoping she didn’t leave yet because we would miss her and yet sadly hoping she did leave so she wouldn’t die. It was so crazy lol. The best part every spring she was back, I loved our Polly.

[@USmade100]

Touching. Thank you for the post.

[@AlitaausArgentinien]

I got so emotional. I made me cry - Thank god we have such people in the world - They make the difference

[@downtown82]

This is so amazing! I have tears in my eyes.

[@terrielliott6902]

I cried ,I can see the love in both of their eyes,I don't know if I could have left him.This will be in my mind for a long time.

[@Gideonsgym]

This vid made my cry

[@mara182427]

I've been looking for this video for so long, finally found it!!

[@peteyb8556]

Thank you for sharing this experience with the world.

[@michaelrs8010]

Introduces his wives and tells the guy that he can have one if he'd like to stay.

[@Wohnprinz]

That touched my Heart!

[@Letro2012]

The human-animal connection is just incredible...! So moving video...couldn' t hold my tears...

[@thevoiceinyourheadisntreal]

Letro2012 We are animals.

[@exile6861]

iamjommyj no we are aliens from planet randomfucks -_-

[@blueicementhol8477]

he follows his friend to be sure of his safety..he introduced his family he hugged him..that is love..now i am sure they're really the 2nd most intelligent species on earth..lovely

[@Sedgehun]

Go see him again:D

[@9catlover]

wow...i nearly shed a tear

[@charlie2858]

I lived in Makokou in the early 80s, on the Ivindo River in Gabon, downriver from where I suspect this video was filmed. In my day, there were gorilla researchers up in Belinga, near Mayebout and Mvadi. I was there again in 2008. It is a magical place, that I hope will be preserved for generations to come of humans, gorillas and other animals. Loved this video. I too have had close encounters with gorillas in the wild, and there is something entrancing about staring into a gorilla's eyes.

[@RIODJENIRO1]

Awesome, Amazing and BEAUTIFUL!!

[@Baxendale96]

Honestly could cry at this, when it hugs him and doesn't want to let him go

[@StephNuggs]

2:15 "Bro, what on earth are you wearing?"

[@oliviawutam]

I'm tempted to give them special rights, their actions are just like 'good' humans if only the communication were normal, at least they must be safe.

[@forestghost7]

rescued orangutan Sandra in Florida was granted human rights by Argentina's superior court before she left the condemned Buenos Aires Zoo ... she's doing fine!

[@CloneArmy]

Beautiful story!♥

[@bluskye101]

it made me cry when kwibi was holding damian then following him down the river. you could see that kwibi didn't want him to go. very strong emotions.

[@dan2569]

"He looked into my eyes with such intensity and love"... Just as the gorilla was going through his pockets. Misdirection at its best.

[@MichaelFlynn0]

I never get tired of watching this one

[@renesalcedo1317]

made me cry

[@ErdnußRiegel6969]

Seeing people like kevin richardson or him keeps a small part of faith in humanity