For some the idea of playing with a gorilla is thrilling, while others find it terrifying. Damian Aspinall is one of those people who is thrilled with the idea of getting up close and personal with the gigantic primates.
Aspinall is a conservationist who spent more time as a child playing with gorillas and tigers than he did playing with domestic animals, thanks in part to his father, John Aspinall. In 1956 John started a small zoo in his backyard, which soon bloomed into a much larger zoo that became known for the close relationships between the animals and zookeepers.
Now that Damian has taken over what his father started in the late 1950s, he has been able to forge close bonds with many of the animals at his wildlife park.
One animal in particular seemed to really take a liking to Damian. His name is Kwibi and after five years of living at Damian’s zoo he was transported to Africa to live in the wild. Every year Damian would visit the area where Kwibi was left in hopes of reconnecting.
Finally, one day after spending several hours traveling up and down a river calling to Kwibi, the now 10-year-old gorilla appeared on the riverbank.
Despite fearing that Kwibi wouldn’t react positively to a human or that other nearby gorillas might attack, Damian and his crew stopped their boat so the two friends could reunite.
Their fears were put to rest when the two sat down face to face and began to engage in conversation that only they could understand.
It was like they were never separated.
When Damian made a move indicating he was leaving, Kwibi hung on to him and wouldn’t let his long lost friend go.
After their reunion the gorilla followed Damian back to his camp and kept a close eye on him, which Aqua Vita Films captured in the video above.
