The zoo’s director made a bold call: use the calm. He instructed a rescue team to approach slowly while other keepers distracted the rest of the troop with food on the far side of the enclosure. Koko watched the rescuers approach, but as long as their movements were slow and non-threatening, he remained calm, a silent sentinel.
They helped Arthur to his feet and guided him to a ladder. As he began to climb out, he looked back one last time at the great ape who had inexplicably saved him. Koko met his gaze for a long moment before turning to rejoin his troop.
The story quickly went viral. News outlets around the world shared clips of the unlikely encounter. But the public didn’t know the heartbreaking reason behind the chimp’s behavior until a zookeeper explained Koko’s recent loss.
