PHOTO: In a heartbreaking photo Tweet – Oct. 5th, 2021 – Virunga National Park, which is the oldest national park in Africa, said, “It is with heartfelt sadness that Virunga announces the death of beloved orphaned mountain gorilla, Ndakasi.” On its website, virung.org, the park went on to say, “following a prolonged illness in which her condition rapidly deteriorated, Ndakasi took her final breath in the loving arms of her caretaker and lifelong friend, Andre Bauma.” (Virunga National Park photo)

BULAMBO, Congo – According to their website, Virunga.org, mountain gorilla Ndakasi was just two months old when park rangers found her “clinging to the lifeless body of her mother, gunned down by armed militia hours earlier. With no other family members present, rangers quickly recuperated the infant gorilla and transferred her to a rescue center in Goma, where she was first introduced to Andre. All night long, Andre held the baby close to him, keeping her tiny body tightly against his bare chest for warmth and comfort. She survived; however, the trauma of losing her family coupled with a long period of rehabilitation meant that Ndakasi was too vulnerable to return to the wild. Along with fellow orphaned gorilla Ndeze, Ndakasi was transferred to the Senkwekwe Center after its creation in 2009, where she went on to live a peaceful life with her caretakers and other orphaned mountain gorillas for over 11 years.”

The following National Geographic video highlights the heartwarming bond between orphaned gorillas and Virunga park rangers, highlighting both Ndakasi and her caretaker and friend, Andre Bauma. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Endangered Mountain Gorillas of Virunga National Park.

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