The Jane Goodall Institute rescued Wounda, the chimp, and cared for him with treatment and rehabilitation. All the chimps that are fully restored to health through the Institute are released back into their natural habitat to reintegrate, and to be among their own kind.
When these intelligent animals, and the humans that assured their safety and health, need to be parted by natural order and necessity, it can be a bittersweet and touching thing to see. Wounda’s release was no different.
Wounda bounded out of his carrier, takes a few steps, and smells the welcome jungle air of his home. He seems in awe of being back, and one of his caretakers gives him a reassuring pat. He gets up on top of his carrier surveying the trees above. While taking it all in, his gaze comes around to Jane Goodall, and they both reach out.
The heartwarming hug that endures for a long moment speaks volumes of the love and respect they clearly have for each other. The silence, the tight tenderness, is there where a million words would never suffice. Each seems to know that the other has to go forward into a new adventure and that their time is over.