This is Mama, a 59 year-old chimpanzee who was the head of her group at the Royal Burgers Zoo in Arnhem, the Netherlands. This chimpanzee are famous because they are the main characters in the book Chimpanzee Politics by Frans De Waal, being the basis groundbreaking research involving primate behavior.
Back in April 2016 she was living her last days on earth, sick and unable to eat. On hearing the news, Jan van Hooff, the co-founder of the colony and professor of behavioral science, returned to visit Mama and pay his last respect. He had known her since 1972 and thwy shared a profound bond.
At first Mama, which seemed that she accepted her fate, didn’t recognized Jan. When she does however, the feelings are clear for all to see and are a wonderful thing to see. See below the heartwarming video below!
