This Footage Of A Woman Reuniting With Two Chimpanzees After 25 Years Is Heart-Melting

Oct 12, 2018

If you understand evolution, you know about how close we are to chimpanzees. Our DNA overlaps with this ape species at a rate near 100 percent. They might not be human, but they're about as close we can get.

Though they might not speak out verbal language, its seems chimps can form emotional bonds with us, as one researcher shows in a powerful video.

Linda Koebner first connected with chimps when she was 23 years old. As a graduate student, she took part in a study to see how chimps in a hepatitis study would be able to manage in the wild. There was much uncertainty as to how they would be able to readapt to life on the outside.

Having become so used to life inside a lab, the chimps were reluctant to experience the natural world again. Things like grass and sunlight were almost completely foreign concepts. Koebner recognized the value of patience when helping these chimps adapt.

Over the course of four years, Koebner was there for them. She paid close attention to how they adjusted and found that they could eventually make their way in the wild.

25 years after her experiment commenced, Koebner returned to see her chimps. Living in a southern Florida refuge, there was no certainty about whether they still have memories of her. Not only did they clearly not forget her, but the video also shows that they missed her like no one else. Koebner is embraced by the chimps like she's their best friend.

Her joy at the reunion is absolutely infectious. You can tell just how much the chimps meant to Koebner and how much she meant to them. “These chimpanzees have taught me about resilience," Koebner said. "All of these have gone through such tremendous adversity and yet they’re forgiving and they’re whole again.”

The story of Linda Koebner and her chimps is one that is sure to tug at your heartstrings. Show this to anyone you know who loves inspiring stories involving humans and animals.