Thanks for posting that Lisa. That is an awesome story!
They are finding out more and more just how intelligent many different species are, aren't they?
When I worked at Hogle Zoo, UT, we had several gorillas. One was named Gorgeous. (I had mentioned her in a previous post)
Gorgeous had had eye problems (I think it was glacoma, if memory serves). She had eye surgery and it was like a whole new world was opened to her. Because of her previous eye disability, she had been around people since she was young. She was so maternal! Everyone loved Gorgeous.
One of the first times I got to meet Gorgeous shortly after her eye surgery, I had my son and niece with me. My son was about 2 years old at the time and my niece would have been about 1 1/2 years old. As I approached Gorgeous' exhibit and she saw who I had with me, she perked right up, came quickly waddling over to us the way gorillas do, and only had eyes for the babies! She gazed at them gently and actually clapped her hands softly to get the kids' attention. I was ignored completely.. LOL
Gorgeous became well known at the zoo for her love of babies. She could have cared less about the adults. Kids loved her!!!
The zoo finally had gotten her her own little black kitten (I forget kitty's name now). Gorgeous was so gentle with that kitten and raised it. The cat lived in the exhibit with Gorgeous. She was also protective over her kitty! One of the keepers was cleaning up Gorgeous' exhibit one day and as she was leaving, the cat tried to escape out of the door. The keeper used a broom to block the cat's path and the cat let out a "meow." Gorgeous came over very fast and bit the keeper on the butt! It didn't draw blood, but she was definitely bruised. Gorgeous then picked up her cat and walked to a corner and looked like she was inspecting the cat! (maybe checking for injuries, who knows lol) Lesson learned: Don't mess with Gorgeous' kitty!.
They really are intelligent. What other species, aside from people, keep and love pets? When you are around them (gorillas/apes) and you see them react to certain situations and see feelings expressed by them (happiness, sadness, jealosy, anger, etc.) that is so similar to how we think and feel... sometimes it was hard for me to separate that I am human and they are ape. It could almost seem eerie sometimes and I would feel like I was in the presence of something on the same level with me or very, VERY close to it. They have souls, just like we do (I believe all animals have souls JMO).
I have another story about a chimp attack that blows my mind but may have to save that for another day as I am out of time:)
Rebecca
