Giant Gorilla Forms Unlikely Friendship With The Cutest Little Bush Baby

Nov 12, 2018

No matter how many animal documentaries or wildlife studies that we read, humans will always be amazed at the natural world and the animal kingdom. The behavior of wild animals is as confusing to us as it is beautiful. Sometimes we find wild animals behaving cruelly, and this gives us a respect and fear of nature.

Other times, we feel closer and more connected because of the love that is shown through animal behavior. The most recent evidence of this love was shown by one of the largest animals in the world: a silverback gorilla.

Bobo is a western lowland gorilla and the acts as the alpha male of his area. When confronted with a significantly smaller creature, Bobo showed his caring and nurturing side. Bobo came across a bushbaby in his wildlife sanctuary that operates from Cameroon.

At Ape Action Africa’s Mefou Primate Sanctuary, caretakers do a routine check to ensure all of the apes are doing fine. Earlier this month, one of the caretakers discovered that Bobo was taking care of his own animal. The silverback gorilla was caught delicately holding a tiny bushbaby.

Caretakers believe that the bush baby was living within the gorilla's enclosure the entire time, before finding its way into Bobo's hands. Two videos were released of the amazing connection between the ape and the bushbaby. In both videos, Bobo can be seen handling the creature delicately and watching intently.

He allowed his fellow primates to get in for a closer look before standing up and walking off. Bobo is clearly protective of his new friend.

Ape Action Africa released videos and pictures of the event on their Facebook page with an explanation of the situation. They described how Bobo had been found with a bushbaby in his care one morning during a routine check.

The gorilla's group-mates were intrigued at Bobo's new friend, but he made sure that no one disturbed the small creatures. A bushbaby is a nocturnal animal and very rare to see during the day.

To see such an animal interact with a gorilla is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The bushbaby was more than happy to play in Bobo's arms and explore the surrounding grass. When Bobo realized that the game was over, he carefully walked the bushbaby back to the tree. Bobo was brought to this sanctuary when his mother was killed by poachers in 1996. He is now the leader of his own group and is well-respected.

What do you think of this odd yet adorable relationship? Let us know in the comments and show this to your friends and family to put a smile on their faces!