Zookeepers lowered their equipment, watching in disbelief. Koko remained seated, a quiet guardian, placing himself between Arthur and the rest of the curious troop. He was not threatening the man; he was shielding him. One of the senior keepers felt a lump form in his throat—he knew exactly what was happening.
Only a month before, Koko had lost his own long-time companion, the troop’s matriarch, to a sudden illness. The patriarch had been grieving deeply, isolating himself from the troop and refusing food. The staff had been monitoring his declining health with growing concern.
Now, seeing him with the fallen old man, it was as if a switch had been flipped. His eyes were clear, his posture was protective, and for the first time in weeks, he seemed engaged and purposeful. The frail, terrified man had awakened his powerful protective instincts. He made sure to make the man feel at home, inviting a youngling to cuddle the man.
