Let’s be clear from the start: we believe wild animals should live in the wild, not in zoos. Creatures like chimpanzees deserve to roam freely in their natural habitats.
Even in the most spacious and well-kept enclosures, captivity can’t compare to the freedom of the wild.
That said, we couldn’t help but share an incredible story of bravery and compassion — one that unfolded inside a zoo.
In 1990, a chimpanzee named Jo-Jo fell into the moat of a chimp enclosure at the Detroit Zoo. He had been chased by a more aggressive chimp and accidentally leapt over a barrier designed to keep him safe from the water.
Struggling and panicked, Jo-Jo began to drown while a group of horrified spectators looked on.
Among them was 33-year-old truck driver Rick Swope, who was visiting the zoo with his wife and three children. The fear in Jo-Jo’s eyes moved Rick to action. Ignoring warning signs and the potential danger, he jumped into the enclosure to help.
It was a risky decision. Chimpanzees can be up to five times stronger than humans, and the area was off-limits for a reason — other chimps nearby could have turned aggressive at any moment.
But Rick didn’t think twice.
As his family looked on, he waded through the water and managed to grab hold of Jo-Jo. It wasn’t easy. At one point, the chimp slipped from his grasp and vanished beneath the surface.
But Rick made a second attempt — and this time, he succeeded in pulling the 18-year-old, 200-pound (90 kg) chimpanzee to safety.
Jo-Jo was in bad shape, but alive — thanks to Rick’s courage.
“He was looking at me. I think he knew what was going on,” Rick told the Chicago Tribune.
Watch the incredible rescue here:
Please share this story to honor Rick Swope’s remarkable act of bravery!
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