Gorilla protects Boy who fell into the enclosure

This is Jambo, a silverback gorilla who became a hero. A boy accidentally fell into the gorilla enclosure and lost consciousness. The situation could have quickly escalated into a tragedy, but Jambo, the dominant male in the group, took matters into his own hands. Instead of showing aggression, Jambo stood guard over the unconscious boy, positioning himself between the child and the other gorillas. He gently stroked the boy’s back, trying to comfort him. When the Keepers arrived to rescue the boy, Jambo led his gorilla family back to their hut, giving the rescuers the space they needed to safely retrieve the boy. Years later, after Jambo’s passing, a bronze statue was built in his honor. It serves as a tribute to the gorilla who helped change the public’s perception of his species.