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

aquavitafilms.com In the African jungle, conservationist Damian Aspinall searches for Kwibi, a lowland gorilla he hasn't seen for 5 years. Kwibi grew up with Damian at his Howletts Wild Animal Park in England. When he was five, he was released into the forests of Gabon, West Africa as part of conservation programme to re-introduce gorillas back into the wild. Now Kwibi's 10 years old, much bigger and stronger. Will Damian find him? Will Kwibi attack him?
Watch the whole story of the amazing UK gorillas who are making a comeback in Africa in Gorilla School on Animal Planet narrated by Kevin Spacey from 4th May 2010 at 8pm.Adopt a Gorilla School baby: www.aspinallfou... Filmed by Madeleine Farley.
Series Produced by Bernard Walton at Aqua Vita Films Ltd www.aquavitafil...

[@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.

[@GuyBelievesInWorldPeace]

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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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!!!!

[@emilsabatini4038]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@jakehosey1688]

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

[@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

[@Kasgigz]

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.

[@MikeySkywalker]

That was so emotional and so simple.

[@pradeep1]

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

[@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. ❤️🦍❤️

[@briantneary2248]

It's moments like these that make like beautiful

[@bellestar5960]

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

[@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 :)

[@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

[@christinaharzelli7683]

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

[@jessicadeveaux1917]

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

[@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!

[@rons-topic1067]

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

[@DarkSkies72]

So beautiful. We must protect these magnificent creatures.

[@brandonphipps4755]

This is beautiful. It literally brought tears to my eyes

[@melanienicole422]

Their kind, loving facial expressions are amazing

[@friggarhmory7571]

This just made me smile. Happy and smiling.

[@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

[@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

[@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🤨 “ 🤣💗

[@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.

[@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.

[@tuttimelon26]

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

[@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!

[@USmade100]

Touching. Thank you for the post.

[@AVJ_7007]

This made me cry :(

[@downtown82]

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

[@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

[@briangorman9713]

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

[@peteyb8556]

Thank you for sharing this experience with the world.

[@Baxendale96]

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

[@Gideonsgym]

This vid made my cry

[@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 -_-

[@RIODJENIRO1]

Awesome, Amazing and BEAUTIFUL!!

[@Lillian2011ful]

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

[@9catlover]

wow...i nearly shed a tear

[@AlitaausArgentinien]

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

[@debojitdas4536]

They love better than millions humans combined

[@kevindaniels7824]

I think he owed Kwibi money

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@Spongyb]

This brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely reunion

[@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.

[@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 🇹🇭😔💟✌️🙏

[@halldorarni22]

Better love story than twilight!!!

[@XstinaXXsuperstarX]

This video made me cry. For two reasons one because of how beautiful kwibi's embrace was and two because it broke my heart that Damien left him. But I guess there really isn't any way he could have left without it being sad.

[@jannimarkussen3111]

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

[@Rainy78]

Brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely amazing story! I would not be able to go back home.

[@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 :)

[@randycasey99]

I cried when I watched this! Animals are beautiful!

[@CloneArmy]

Beautiful story!♥

[@troyano6548]

Wow... That was amazing !!

[@pcgarbage]

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

[@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.

[@KandyKane246]

OMG im crying :''( , its such a beautiful story, oh im so weak!

[@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.

[@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!

[@evandroalves506]

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

[@renesalcedo1317]

made me cry

[@ErdnußRiegel6969]

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

[@itsmyjourney]

Absolutely beautiful

[@givemylifeforanimals]

I have to say that I could not have left. I this is a WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL video & I have been crying since it started. I am soooo glad that this WONDERFUL SILVER BACK was doing well even after 5yrs., my hope is that he is still doing well & thriving.!!!!!

[@timmytommy69]

it is called love it knows no bounds

[@far574]

This is one of the most beautiful, touching, heart breaking video i think i`ve ever seen. I can`t stop crying when I see it. I have so much love and passion for "animals" and this video tells us humans this is all we need to know. The video says everything.. My heart breaks for these creatures!!!

[@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.

[@AmberU]

I cried tears of happiness but appreciation for the respect this man has for the gorillas!

[@Vismis]

tried not to cry cried alot

[@nandakumar-qs5sr]

One of the most touching videos I have seen in 2014. Love truly transcends all belief.

[@mahetalrich5250]

Incroyablement émouvant

[@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!

[@HAROLD-CORE]

This is one of the most wonderful things I've ever seen. Someone actually clicked the 'thumbs down' button on this, gold mine investors detected.

[@WaLkNCaNvAs]

That was beautiful!!

[@Wohnprinz]

That touched my Heart!

[@gadigadigadigadi]

there is so much love and expression in that gorillas eyes, its like he wants to say so much but yet he cant

[@NickAlekseyevich]

Simply beautiful.

[@dme1016]

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

[@georginagallagher60]

Hi this was amazing to watch, it made me cry thank you from gina gallagher

[@there-is-a-way]

What a moving experience! Thank you for this wonderful video.