A gorilla that went viral in 2019 has died in the arms of its caregiver
Remember the picture that went viral in 2019 of two gorillas posing with a forest ranger? Ndakasi, one of the two gorillas, died at the age of 14 after a long illness. Mitsubishi is the name of the other gorilla in the picture.
The Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued a statement about the gorilla’s death, which was accompanied by a heartbreaking photo. “It is with heartfelt sadness that Virunga announces the death of beloved orphaned mountain gorilla, Ndakasi,” the caption reads.
It is with heartfelt sadness that Virunga announces the death of beloved orphaned mountain gorilla, Ndakasi.
C’est avec une profonde tristese que Virunga annonce le décès du gorille de montagne orpheliné Ndakasi.https://t.co/GdkJbhWESz pic.twitter.com/bsCKdEq8tB
— Virunga NationalPark (@gorillacd) October 5, 2021
The photo shows the same person who took the viral selfie with Ndakasi in 2019. She appears to have died in the arms of her caregiver, Andre Bauma.
Ndakasi, like many other gorillas, was orphaned nearly a decade ago as a result of gorilla killings by armed militia.
The selfie of the century. They are Ndakasi & Ndeze, both female #gorillas were orphaned & grown at Senkwekwe centre at DRC. So decided to pose with the caretakers Mathieu and Patrick. Currently killing the internet. This centre is specially made for orphan mountain gorillas. pic.twitter.com/F2Kemjqe0r
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 22, 2019
Ndakasi, like many other gorillas, was orphaned nearly a decade ago as a result of gorilla killings by armed militia.
Ndakasi has received tributes from all over the world.