GORILLA SILVERBACK MATADI WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A LOVELY FATHER

Can't wrap my mind around it yet, but sadly it is true. Matadi died last Monday due to covid 19 and Bordetella. Way too young, 20 yrs old. I'll remember him as the most gentle and loving silverback daddy for his two daughters. My oh my did he bring us so much fun whilst playing with his daughters. In loving memory of Mati (as we called him)!
Zoo: Antwerpen
Silverback: Matadi - born March 25th 2003, died † October 9th 2023.
Females: Mayani and daughter Thandie, Mambele and daughter Vizazi.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla female: Amahoro
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Welcome to my channel!
My name is Lieke and I'm from Holland and have a big passion for great apes. In my video's I'll take you with me to see te most wonderful animals in zoos! I hope you'll enjoy the video' s! My goal is to educate people about these wonderful animals and tell how important it is to keep them safe all over the world.
Instagram: liekesshotoflife
Website/Blog: www.liekes-sho...
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[@lindapelle8738]

Sweet Matadi, always so gentle with his wives and little ones. Such sad news, he will be missed by us but mostly by his family. Rest In Peace beautiful Matadi. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

Indeed such a gentle giant he was. The girls grew up with a great father but it shouldn't be the end now. Still can't wrap my mind around it. Rip Matadi ♥️

[@user-yf9vd7nq2y]

​@@LiekesShotOfLifeсколько ему было лет?

[@bepje18158]

​@@user-yf9vd7nq2y 20 years

[@lucianaaidawati]

Why ? Is He die 😢 ? What happen ?

[@bepje18158]

​@@lucianaaidawatiInfection

[@eaglesflyproud]

❤️RIP MATADI 🌈. Liekes This morning I got a text from a friend of mine that included a link to the Brussels Times article about what had happened to MATADI. According to the article the troop had been dealing with a bad cold at first and while the females recovered quickly his symptoms persisted. The article went on to say he was weak and not eating, developed a double respiratory infection (COVID and whooping cough) and the medical professionals were unable to regulate his heartbeat at the end. What an amazing gentle father he was to his offspring. Extremely sad 💔

[@AlinaWhitfield0510]

Very sad to see a beautiful, gentle Silverback die so young. I am very sorry and lucky are those who were able to meet him.😢🥲❤❤❤❤❤

[@Buba417]

Devastating news. Matadi was an awesome loving father and a great family leader. Very distressing times for his ladies. His whole family must be feeling pretty insecure. Lovely tribute, Lieke. Thank you for sharing those beautiful images with us.

[@LizEcklund3]

This broke my heart, he was so young.

[@sherryw.1466]

Heard about this yesterday. My heart is broken! Thanks for this video. He was so lovely to watch…a wonderful silverback!♥️♥️♥️

[@sonjavandam1306]

RIP big fella, 😢 COVID doesn't discriminate. I will always have a special memory of my earliest encounter with Matadi. Thandie was a baby & she walked to daddy & his foot was as big as she was. She played with his foot for age's. I'm sure you are devastated as you only saw them a few weeks back. Take care of yourself Lieke. Much love for the family from Australia.🦍💕🌷

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

Still can't wrap my mind around it. It will probably hit me when I visit next time. It is unbelievable how this happened. But sadly it is the truth. The girls had a wonderful dad for the first years of their lives. He was such a gentle giant. That's how i'll always remember him. And indeed it was beautiful how he interacted with little Thandie.

[@KathyPrendergast-cu5ci]

@@LiekesShotOfLifeGorillas have so little natural resistance to human diseases; pre-Covid, even catching ordinary colds or flu could kill them.😢

[@Kim-lc3fv]

Thank you for the tribute to him. A loving and devoted father. ❤🦍❤

[@MsFUCW]

Rest in peace Matadi 😢

[@annlane1766]

I often replay his moment with Thandie when he was sleeping and how he gently used the branch to entertain her. He certainly adored his little girl. I think he adored his role of father. My thoughts are with the troop and zookeepers at this difficult time ❤

[@breadandcircus1]

I feel so sorry for Mati's passing. It hurts me so badly. I cannot watch the tribute, its' too much for me......REST in PEACE, sweet MATI, you were a good dad, so much loved by many people. Rest now in God's hands.❤‍🩹

[@sonyawilson1000]

😢 RIP 💙 Matadi. What a majestic 👑 gentle king you were. You will be surely missed.

[@dedwin8930]

Sorry for you also Lieke as I know your love for these magnificent animals!!💔

[@erykah835]

This made me 😢wen I heard about him rip this was lovely to watch miss you The Greatest silver back gorilla 🦍❤

[@jacquelinedazio2341]

I was so sad to hear this news yesterday. 😢 Lovely memorial video of a wonderful silverback ❤

[@kimhaveman3628]

Oh Lieke - I was at work yesterday when I saw another post about Losing Matadi. I got home and just had a moment crying for his beautiful family and for his amazing life cut so short. Matadi was a loving and GENTLE father with his 2 girls especially Thandie. She always seemed to be drawn to him and he just adored his little girl! I will never forget the video of a tiny Thandie crawling on him and how gentle he was touching her little feet and legs. He will be sooo missed. I pray that his little girls will carry on his amazing legacy. Sorry.. my heart is just so sad. If you can please let us know how his family is doing.

[@katymay2611]

I'm so sorry the gentle giant Matadi passed away 😢❤ his children were blessed to have him as their loving and devoted Dad 🩵🌈

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

Ah I feel you. Think lots of us do. Matadi was such a gentle giant. Always so lovely for his daughters. It was amazing to see him interact with his daughters. He will be missed. The family luckily isn't sick anymore, I will visit when I can. But for now it is too soon.

[@vjc2270]

😓 I heard yesterday about Matadi’s passing and thought immediately about his beautiful relationship with Thandie and what a great Daddy he was. 😥 She will miss him so much, as will the rest of the troupe. 💔 I’m glad the zoo wont attempt to introduce another Silverback for a while. I only hope that the rest of the Matadi family remain healthy. 🙏 Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful memory of Matadi and his love for his baby girl❣️ He was a wonderful ambassador for his species - I’m sure he taught thousands of people what magnificent, gentle creatures gorillas are. My heart goes out to his family, his keepers and and to everyone who loved him. ❤

[@latralla4577]

Tragedy for the whole troop. Thank you for the tribute film.

[@erykah835]

So sad for his wife and daughters its making me 😢😢 watched it twice God bless him the best dad sliverback 🦍❤️🌹

[@fallbrkgrl]

I'm absolutely heartbroken. How could this happen? Such a handsome guy, and so loving and gentle with his baby girls. RIP Matadi🌈 Your spirit will live on through Thandie, and Vazazi. Thank Leike. ❤️🌵☀️⛈️🌈☮️🐎🦍

[@Jan-iu5hc]

It's so sad

[@marykelly2409]

R. I. P. Handsome Matadi💋🙏🌈 Thank you, Liekes, for informing us.😪🐒🙏🌈❤️

[@par9243]

That’s heartbreaking news💔💔🥺🥺

[@kori1543]

So sad! I have been feeling sorrow for the humans that die as a result of COVID, but I never thought about the primates !!! I feel more compassion for these primates than I do, people! Forgive me for that thought, but it's honest !!

[@claudiadossantosfernandes1094]

Eu também

[@Leyla7292]

Oh no❗️ So tragic 😥 he was 2 young 2 die now 😔💔

[@sharonkeogh7036]

Such devastating news. Heartbroken. RIP 🙏🏽🦍❣️🙏🏽

[@sonjavandam1306]

It's incredibly sad.😢

[@sharonkeogh7036]

@@sonjavandam1306 I was planning on visiting Antwerp quite soon....it's unbelievable 😭

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

I am so saddened by the lost of this amazingly gentle father. I was thinking of you and wondered when I’d have the opportunity to send you hugs and let you know how much I’ve appreciated learning about this family through your videos. Thank you❤

[@susanboyter9034]

You said what I was feeling . Thank you for putting it into the best words for me also

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

@@susanboyter9034 you’re welcome. Glad I could help.🦋

[@bgardner312]

So Matadi was 20 years of age and Gyasi died last year at the age of 20. Wow! Very sorry to hear this.

[@tlacy121]

Whoa, I didn’t know Tyaris mom was so young too. Thanks.

[@violetnewell5076]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤. It breaks me when we lose on of these magnificent gentle giants.😢😢

[@abbyd323]

So sorry to hear this 😢😢😢Lovely video💙

[@pamelakern2849]

This is so very sad !! He was a wonderful father and a gentle soul. He had his whole life in front of him . I am so sorry 😞 😢❤

[@laurielau]

What a sweet soul. I am very sad for his family and hope they get through this difficult time. Thank you for your videos I always look forward to them ❤

[@susanboyter9034]

I never got into the videoing but I was a still photographer and I know we can get attached to our subjects because we tend to spend many hours that people dont see so we develop a bond. My heart goes out to you because I see the love in your videos Thank you so much for bringing the matadi family into our daily lives. This family had became one of my favorites after liking Lope so much I started researching more about ozala and biddy, which brought me to matadi. So sad for you, his zoo keepers and his family Those 2 girls a very special. What you have shared is beautiful

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

What a lovely comment! Thank you so much ♥️

[@m.w.976]

Oh NOOOOO! This makes me so sad! He was an awesome dad! I started following his troop when Thandie was born and he was so gentle and patient with her! 😔

[@KathyPrendergast-cu5ci]

Very sad news; he was so young! I’ve heard the zoo will not get another silverback gorilla until Thandie and Vizazi are older because it’s not safe to introduce a new silverback to a troop that already has youngsters. So they’ll be an all-girl troop for several years.

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

indeed, thats all we know as well

[@tavibaby]

Awww nooooooooooo😢....Rest Peacefully Handsome....❤

[@PIA-tj5hc]

This is sad news😢😢😢

[@SherryHarmon-rs1jn]

Matadi, such a great loss😢 RIP❤YOU ARE ALREADY GREATLY MISSED ❤️😢❤

[@erykah835]

Thank you for the lovely video ❤

[@learoman2526]

Que pesar 😭😭 ojalá los cuiden mas para que no se contagie ningún otro

[@Clifton-th7xz]

Much love Big Guy

[@user-rp9jl6nc9j]

Broke my heart! Every time I known we lost the silverbacks ( Bauwi in may) they are majestic but kind and gentle to their kids….a lot better than most human fathers!! Rest In Peace Matadi . Hope you all will be in heaven. Love and miss you

[@karlitadawson651]

One of the most loving fathers I’ve had the pleasure to watch thanks to your videos ❤! W follow his mother’s family in England and he has 3 younger brothers that I know of. RIP 🖤🖤🖤

[@phylliswood6361]

Lovely tribute to Mati. He was a wonderful husband and father. He will be missed by so many people. My heart goes out to his family, his caretakers and the wonderful people like youreself who brought pictures and videos of Mati to us who couldn't go see him in person. 💔🙏

[@noragriffin6432]

This video is amazing and beautiful to watch, thank you!

[@carlanngiles350]

I am so sad. Bless his heart.

[@jennyvanklei4366]

Mooie ode aan Matadi. Hij was echt een hele lieve vader.

[@w.dossett3332]

Rest in peace sweet daddy

[@tlacy121]

Really sad to hear 😔. Is this Lopes half brother ?

[@sonjavandam1306]

Yes.

[@jlv1254]

So Sad! Prayers for his family!

[@marthawelch4289]

I don't think there is a mother of ANY species in the world whose heart doesn't melt seeing her husband play with and show affection to their children. Men bring a different, adventurous, AND cuddly energy to their interactions with their kiddos. What a loss to the world to have this pudgy, caring, young dad gorilla pass on.

[@cynthiarogers2904]

. *HE WILL BE REMEMBERED AS A LOVING FATHER. HE IS IN GOD'S CARE NOW. REST IN PEACE, MATI !!!*

[@swamp5050]

Likes, thank you, needless to say words can not express the sadness this brings. I can only imagine what his troop impartially the his kids are dealing with Matadi's absence, animals feel loss just as we do. Please keep us informed on how the family is doing if you can.

[@markgoodman240]

That is a terrible loss. How the keepers or veterinarians did not realize something was wrong is AWFUL! He had to catch it from one of the keepers. I hope they monitor all the other gorillas.

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

Unless you're a zookeeper in this particular zoo, I guess we don't know. The vet came to see him, and the fact that he caught two viruses probably killed him. Sometimes it is unfair but zookeepers can't do a thing about it. Let's not jump to conclusions if we don't know every step of the process whilst he was sick.

[@ZombieQueen819]

Thank you for this lovely video and memories. 😢😢R.I.P. wow COVID-19 got this big handsome guy I can’t seem to believe it 😢😢 He was loved around the world ❤

[@Glyceroneogenesis]

I'm sorry to hear this.

[@tracey9116]

I come back here from time to time to watch this video. Matadi was such a huge sap, so good to his family. We have lost so many greats over the past few years. What a stunning video, Lieke.

[@claudiadossantosfernandes1094]

Eu estava assistindo os vídeos a pouco tempo, estou muito triste, é impossível não chorar, eu amo os gorilas, meu sonho é ter um santuário de gorilas, amo muito meus primos😢😢😢

[@annemariemcnamara8756]

He had such a sweet relationship with Thandie, she was fearless a daddy was a big softie. Matadi looked so much like Ozala his mom same face. It’s sad that he died so young but his legacy will live on with his girls

[@bepje18158]

I heard this devestating news earlier through an English channel which made me terribly said💔😢Matadi was the best dad and always so gentle and so sweet to Thandie and Vi🥰we will miss him terribly😢rest in peace big boy and keep guarding your sweet family from above🙏❤🌞🌻 I wish that science will discover a medicine very soon against all the infections that gorilla's can contract!

[@mentayflor]

😢😢😢🙏

[@dipaliparmar7785]

Oh God.!. 🥺😔 I Pray His Sweet, Gentle Soul Rest In Peace. 🙏🏼🌹💜💜

[@A.L.Gardner]

I've just heard about this, what a tragic loss! Such a gentle loving giant ❤❤❤💔

[@user-qs8tb7md8t]

シルバーバックの死は大変ショックです😢　とても優しい父親だったのですね。家族の心が壊れませんように。Rest in peace　MATADI🌈

[@bxchicc7799]

This news is beyond devastating😪 I love all Gorillas no matter how far or near 🫶🏽🦍 R.I.P. King🦍😪🕊 My heart aches for his troop

[@ningmixayboua6452]

Omg 😢so sad I didn’t know thank you for sharing RIP matadi do you know how the other troop members are doing ?? Gorilla feel when their members pass and the silverback too 😢😢

[@tyrenaburdette1]

Such a sweet daddy! He will be missed❤

[@lizzyh458]

Bedankt voor deze tribute aan onze lieve stoere knapperd, onze Matti, ons Matteke... 😢 De video bekijken kan ik spijtig genoeg nog niet Lieke, het doet te veel pijn en ik zit nog in een mix van shock, ongeloof en groot verdriet 😢 Bedankt voor de mooie filmpies die je van hem maakte nog vóór ik hen allemaal kende en waarin hij zo ontzettend teder en zacht was met mijn schattebolleke Thandieke. Ik ga deze video hier zeker op gepaste tijd bekijken. We zullen onze Matti ongelooflijk hard missen, zijn familie moet nu verder zonder hun leider, zijn prutskes zonder hun liefste papa, hopelijk vinden zij met 5 nu een nieuw evennwicht in de komende tijd. 💔😢🍀

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

Hee, wil jou ook enorm veel sterkte wensen! Tis altijd zo verdrietig als een dier overlijdt die je zoveel gezien hebt en waar je een soort van band mee hebt gekregen. Neem de tijd zoals ook Gorillas dat doen ;). Liefs en dikke knuffel!

[@lizzyh458]

@@LiekesShotOfLife dank je, heel lief ❤️

[@fj2201]

Smh.... Rest in peace big guy. I sure hate to hear of this and thinking of those two beautiful baby girls of his having to go on without him.

[@olgaarca6423]

Matadi, you will be miss😢😢😢😢😢❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@twebster179]

OMG...l'm SO sorry for your loss!😢

[@vegomatic100]

This tribute shows that Matatadi was definitely a loving and gentle silverback. Died too young.

[@aalijahkhan952]

Rest in peace Matadi

[@equine2020]

So sad. He's with GOD now. But his family, & friend will miss him.

[@lm9991]

Such a loss. 🩷🙏🏻

[@raquel_cb_]

RIP Matadi

[@Dombred]

😢❤

[@lynnthompson1870]

Oh no sorry for this sad news RIP Matadi😢

[@ninawest8]

How is the rest of the troop doing? Any news on the new silver?That will be an adjustment for sure.

[@karenellis1200]

R I P Angel❤❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😢

[@mariapittman8970]

So heartbreaking. His sweet girls are sure going to miss him as we all will. How did he get COVID? I’m sure the rest of the troop has been tested but this is just so sad.

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

probably from a zookeeper or maybe the food, that's always a guess. The rest of the troop had it as well, but they made it through. I guess the extra virus Bordetella probably was fatal for him, but thats a guess. Sometimes it is just unfair.

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

Hi Lieke. Wasn’t sure how to reach out to you and say that I hope you’re doing well and that we will here from you again soon.❤

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

Hi! Tonight CET a new video will be online ;). Thanks for reaching out ♥️

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

@@LiekesShotOfLife you’re welcome and more than the video, just glad to see you’re ok.

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

@@Iris_Transforms_Healing having some trouble with uploading the video, so it will come tomorrow;)

[@Iris_Transforms_Healing]

@@LiekesShotOfLife no worries, these things happen! Thank you for letting me know. You’re so thoughtful.❤️

[@shay4ojibwa638]

🕊️🤍RIP Matadi🤍🕊️

[@ianmangham4570]

❤🙏

[@cyrillecorinne]

Amour 😥

[@lyncee6953]

Très attristé d’apprendre le décès de Matadi,RIP au royaume de tes magnifiques congénères🦍♥️

[@WahranRai]

The background music is not appropriate with the news of Matadi's death !

[@hotdogsauce]

😥

[@pinkyboose]

How's Thandie & Vizazi?? Are they ok? Gentaro & Kintaro lost their appetite when Momotaro was sick. I'm gonna miss him so much. He's such a good dad to Thandie & Vizazi 😢❤

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

They're okay ;) hope to visit them soon! And then everybody can see for themselves.

[@BettyThompson-qn7cl]

😢😢😢😢

[@hettyphilips]

So sad. People must remember Covid is still around and active for animals and humans.

[@michelle10261]

Very sad.

[@ninawest8]

This should have been preventable, strong health restrictions should still have been applied, this is a tragedy. So how is the family doing, im sure they are devasted. Japan has some lonely Silvers, but won't let them go, instead they keep them in the worst possible conditions, all for what...money, makes me sick. Man should be doing what is best for their conservation and not give a shit about funds.

[@ninawest8]

@@sonjavandam1306 Thanks, I do like you ,we all have our opinions, you love them the very same as I...✌️🤎

[@wtyuan5588]

😢💔💔💔

[@susanpotter9720]

How awful for his troop,so sad..

[@NeedMoreJuice.]

Is this Ozala’s first son ?

[@kraftdinner2336]

Extremely Heartbreaking news. Something doesn't add up, how did he get Covid? They only way would be through the keepers and why was that keeper even working knowing that it would kill gorillas. The keepers should be wearing gloves and masks at All times. That is unforgiving, he was only 20 and now this gorilla family will be stressed not knowing why he's not coming back and then having to introduce a new male. This is so sad and could have been prevented.

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

It is indeed heartbreaking. But you're making assumptions. The zookeers do wear masks and gloves at all times. And there are lots of people who get covid and don't know it or don't have many symptoms. And matadi also died because he got bortedella and covid. Sometimes life is just really unfair.

[@tylermills79]

What will happen with the troupe now?

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

it will take some time before a new silverback will come around. The girls are too young at this point and there is too much risk of a silverback attacking the kids. So till they're bigger it will just be the girls.

[@justbenice7448]

How in the world did he contract Covid-19? From one of his caretakers?

[@LiekesShotOfLife]

we'll never know. probably a zookeeper who didn't know he had it, although they wear masks at all times.

[@justbenice7448]

Ahhhh, got it. Thank you for responding! @@LiekesShotOfLife

[@fj2201]

Coming back to this, I wonder if the keepers and nutritionists are investigating upping their levels of naturally anti-viral foods like oregano, rosemary, garlic, onions, horseradish, ginger, lemon balm, thyme, etc.? It seems those are foods they would typically eat and may also help alleviate or stave off those viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause them problems. This makes me very sad and reminds me of similar deaths that have been reported.