Damian Aspinall’s reunion with Kwibi
The gap between humans and animals is wide.
Naturally, it isn’t… but as humans, we have gradually created that gap by considering ourselves more superior than animals. We see ourselves as being more superior than dogs, which is why we are the “owners”… we see ourselves as being more superior than elephants, rejoicing when we can teach them tricks like in a circus… and even with chimpanzees, we see ourselves as being more superior than them, poaching them at our own will.
We destroy their habitats, then take pride when we make efforts to conserve their existence. Conservation efforts are good, I’m not saying it’s bad – but if from the very beginning we respected them as beings… not lower nor higher than us, we would never need to face conservation problems.
The main reason why we consider ourselves more superior than them is because we doubt their capability to feel, to think, to understand and to remember. We doubt their intelligence. We believe that they are incapable… or less capable… of feeling hurt, pain, sadness, nostalgia, happiness, grief, enthusiasm etc etc.
The video below is about an emotional reunion between a conservationist named Damian Aspinall and a gorilla named Kwibi.
Kwibi was brought up in Damian’s conservation park (Howletts Wild Animal Park) in England.
When he turned 5 , he was released into the forest of Gabon, West Africa. The program that he was in re-introduces gorillas back into the wild, in an effort to help their species, already endangered, survive.
5 years later, it was thought that Kwibi was dead. Damian went back to Gabon to search for him… Does he find him? Will Kwibi recognize him? Will Kwibi be angry or confused when he sees Damian?
Watch to find out.
Tsem Rinpoche
Or view the video on the server at: http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Gorilla-Reunion-Damian-Aspinall-Extraordinary-Gorilla.flv
Tsem Rinpoche, Thanks for sharing Kwibi’s story. It’s very, very touching. I have a special relationship with a dog named Pam who lives at the SPCA. Over the years, Pam’s gotten into trouble for snapping and biting humans but she has never harmed me. Till today, I will visit her and we still have a rollicking good time together. I’m told she’s mellowed in her old age and is better behaved now.
I believe humans and animals have a very special link and that we can learn a lot from them. I love and respect animals and I am saddened that many humans see them as inferior or as mere objects to be used for amusement or tools. Blessings!
Great : )
It is touchingly beautiful! The bond between man and primate is so strong that after five years, kwibi not only remembers Damian but clings on to him. The meeting between both of them was tender and nostalgic. Some humans who made it big forgot their own friends who helped them in the past.