Gorilla Cradles 3-Year-Old Boy Who Fell In The Gorilla Pit And Carries Him To Safety Until Help Arrives

Jan 22, 2019

Not all human encounters with the wild beasts of the world have a sad ending. In 1996, the world was stunned when a gorilla did the opposite of what was expected of her and actually cradled a human toddler and kept him safe from harm.

The situation unfolded at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago when a three-year-old boy escaped from his family and proceeded to tumble 20 feet into the zoo's gorilla enclosure. As the terrified parents and staff looked on with fright, a Western Lowland gorilla picked up the boy and gently carried him to a safe place in the enclosure.

Named Binti Jua, the 8-year-old Gorilla was incredibly gentle with the boy, taking care to not hurt him. At the time of the incident, there were six other gorillas in the enclosure with Binti Jua.

Experts say that it is impossible to know how the other animals would have reacted to the surprise of a small human invading their home had Binti Jua not taken the lead to protect the boy from danger. It was truly a miracle that Binti Jua did what was needed to keep the boy safe until help could arrive.

It is no surprise that Binti Jua acted in such a way. As a mother herself, the maternal instinct is strong with gorillas.

Although the boy escaped with minor injuries including a broken hand a few scratches, the story serves as a reminder to keep children close by when visiting zoos. Tragedy can strike in a moment, making it important to be aware of the dangers.

Watch the video right here:

Fortunately for all of us, an onlooker was able to capture this moment on video. What do you think about the gorilla saving the boy? Do you think it's a testimony on how close we are to those animals? Tell us your thoughts in the comments and pass the heartwarming story on to other animal loving friends - let's spread some love today.