Jambo the Gorilla the Gentle Giant, Jersey Zoo, 30 year anniversary

I saw this article in Daily Mail saying it is 30 years ago since a little boy fell in the Gorilla pit at Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands.

It is such a heartwarming story and I remember it like it was yesterday so thought I would share article as it shows clips of events. When the child fell in he became unconscious and all the family and visitors feared the worst as Jambo the big silverback Gorilla moved over to look at the child. His reaction was so heartwrenching as instead of behaving aggressively to the child he protected him from the rest of the gorillas and even stroked him.

I was lucky enough to live in Jersey for 7 years and whenever I had freetime I used to spend a full day with the Gorillas. Jersey Zoo was opened as a conservation centre by Gerald Durrell and is much smaller than many commercialised zoos. Well worth a visit if only to see the gorillas (I adore them). I especially loved Jambo the gentle giant who wouldnt!www.dailymail.co.uk... ives-dramatic-moment-30-years-says-t-wait-kids-there.html

That is so precious! Jambo is an excellent Gorilla leader and the story is so heartwarming, I became a little teary eyed. Thanks for posting!

a reply to: anxiouswens

I lived in Jersey too for a number of years working in the fish market. Spent quite a bit of time at the zoo.
It is a great place.
Touching story too.

a reply to: anxiouswens

It is such a heartwarming story and I remember it like it was yesterday …

Me too. What an example he set. His captors have imprisoned him for life, he has no idea why or for how long, and still he doesn't seem to harbor a grudge or be looking for revenge.

What a guy.

I understand your sentiment and agree it is all the more heartwarming as if it was a human they would want revenge etc maybe that goes to show we are not the more advanced species at least emotionally.

As for the captors point a lot of these gorillas have never lived in the wild they have been born in captivity so would find it extremely djfficult to survive in the wild especially as some are 3rd generation.a reply to: intrptr

a reply to: anxiouswens

As for the captors point a lot of these gorillas have never lived in the wild they have been born in captivity so would find it extremely difficult to survive in the wild especially as some are 3rd generation.a reply to: intrptr

These 'gorillas' have as much feelings, hopes and desires as people. From their point of view, what if people were just locked up forever from birth without being told why or when they'd get out? At what point wouldn't we expect them to 'go nuts'.

OR as adults, like Guantanamo? Making terrorists that way.

I agree they have the same feelings. I think many animals do. I dont agree with animals being caged but I also sed sometimes it is the only way to stop extinction because of the cruelty of man in their natural habitats. The most heartbreaking I have seen was at Sea World in Florida. A polar bear in a tiny room indoors pacing and shaking its head it had obviously gone mad. I couldnt get it out of my mind for years.a reply to: intrptr

This thread isnt about terrorists so I dont really want to discuss.a reply to: intrptr

a reply to: intrptr

Yambo was the man. Not only empathetic and understanding. He was a real ladies man. That dude sired over 19 kids!!! Go Yambo! Glad they made a statue of the guy.