In the summer of 1996, an ordinary day at the Brookfield Zoo transformed into a scene of both terror and wonder. A three-year-old boy, after climbing a barrier, plummeted 25 feet into the gorilla enclosure below. The impact left him unconscious and severely injured, sparking panic among the spectators who watched in horror. Inside the enclosure were seven powerful gorillas, and the fate of the child seemed tragically uncertain.
Amidst the screams, one of the gorillas, a female western lowland named Binti Jua, approached the motionless boy. Instead of displaying aggression, her maternal instincts took over. With her own infant, Koola, clinging to her back, Binti Jua gently cradled the human child in her arms. She was seen carefully scanning her surroundings, looking left and right as if understanding the need for help, all while shielding the boy from potential harm.
The situation remained tense as other gorillas in the exhibit posed a potential threat. Zoo staff acted quickly, using a hose to gently encourage the other animals to move away. Throughout this, Binti Jua remained calm and protective. In an act that seemed deliberate and intelligent, she then carried the boy to the exhibit’s entrance, laying him down gently in a spot where zookeepers and paramedics could safely reach him before she retreated.
The entire event was captured on a home video camera, and the footage soon spread across the globe. Binti Jua became an instant symbol of empathy and cross-species connection. She was celebrated in major publications and received an outpouring of public affection. The young boy survived the ordeal, suffering from a broken hand and various bruises but ultimately making a full recovery, with his identity kept private by his family.
The story of Binti Jua challenges our assumptions about the animal kingdom. It suggests that compassion and the instinct to protect the vulnerable are not exclusive to humans. Her actions, whether born from her own upbringing by humans or a deeper, innate empathy, created a lasting legacy. In a divided world, this gorilla’s gentle heroism remains a powerful reminder of the unexpected and profound bonds we can share with other living beings.
