A chimpanzee named Mama has lived in an Amsterdam zoo for half a century. She was already 69 years old when she felt that her end was coming. The monkey began to refuse food. She just lay curled up in the corner of the enclosure.
Professor Jan Van Hoff is a zoologist. Back in 1972, when he was still a novice scientist, Yang was working with monkeys at the zoo. He was raising Mama.
It’s been almost 50 years since they last met. Van Hoff, after learning about his Mama’s condition, decided to say goodbye to his old friend.
When he entered the enclosure, at first the chimpanzee did not recognize the man. But then Mama realized who it was. The monkey lit up with happiness. Mama was genuinely happy to meet Van Hoff. She smiled, stroked his face, and hugged him. The elderly zoologist was touched by this meeting.
A week later, the chimpanzee was gone. Employees say that she died in her sleep. Quiet and peaceful. Without suffering.
They remember that Mama was an amazing animal. She had great authority in her pack. She was able to resolve any conflicts within the chimpanzee collective.
” At the zoo, all the staff will miss her, ” admitted behavioral scientist Frans de Waal. He said that he had rarely met such remarkable personalities in his life, both among animals and people.