NDAKASI, THE MOUNTAIN GORILLA WHOSE PHOTOBOMB SELFIE WENT VIRAL, DIES AT 14

Thu 07 October 2021:

Ndakasi, a mountain gorilla from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, has reappeared in the news. The update will break your heart this time. Due to a long illness, the 14-year-old gorilla died.

Ndakasi became famous in 2019 because she photobombed a snapshot of her forest ranger. Back then, the photo went popular on the internet.

The news was shared by the forest officials via a statement released on Instagram. “It is with heartfelt sadness that Virunga announces the death of beloved orphaned mountain gorilla, Ndakasi, who had been under the care of the Park’s Senkwekwe Center for more than a decade,” it read.

Ndakasi took her final breath in the arms of her caretaker and lifelong friend, Andre Bauma. Mr Bauma had looked after Ndakasi since 2007. She was only two when the rangers spotted her lying on her dead mother’s body. Rangers understood that she was too vulnerable to return to the wild. Hence, she was brought to the orphaned mountain gorilla centre.

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A post shared by Virunga National Park (@virunganationalpark)

Mr Bauma said in the statement, “It was a privilege to support and care for such a loving creature, especially knowing the trauma Ndakasi suffered at a very young age.” He further stated that Ndakasi’s sweet nature and intelligence helped him relate with the Great Apes and made him understand why humans needed to protect them with all power.

“I am proud to have called Ndakasi my friend. I loved her like a child and her cheerful personality brought a smile to my face every time I interacted with her. She will be missed by all of us at Virunga but we are forever grateful for the richness Ndakasi brought to our lives during her time at Senkwekwe.”

Ndakasi featured in several TV shows and films, including a documentary named “Virunga,” but it was her photobomb in 2019 that brought her global fame.

Photo: Ndakasi took her final breath in the arms of her caretaker and lifelong friend, Andre Bauma.

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