National Geographic photographer Brent Stirton takes us back in the life of the famous orphan mountain gorilla Nda cassie.
On September 26, 2021, the long-ill mountain gorilla Endakasi nestled in the crook of the keeper's arm; soon after, it bid farewell to the world. For the past 14 years, Andre Bauma and others at the Senkwe Mountain Gorilla Center have been caring for Ndakasi and other orphans. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
Written by: BRENT STIRTON
Oral transcript: DOUGLAS MAIN
In 2007, because of my work, I traveled to Virunga National Park to work with a group of rangers who were fighting paramilitary groups. We learned that some critically endangered mountain gorillas were mysteriously killed. In the pouring rain, I saw Ndakasi for the first time. It was only a few months old, clutching its mother's corpse, the blood on its side coming from AK-47, and Endakasi was sucking her mother's milk in vain.
This stupid killing was a big deal back then— there were only 400 mountain gorillas back then, and there are just over 1,000 in the wild today. Nda cassie is the only survivor in the family.
It is delicate and may not live long. Ranger Andre Bauma took it away from the rain and used his body temperature to keep it alive until morning. This is the beginning of their bondage for the next 14 years. For example, Andre remains the lead keeper at the Senkwe Mountain Gorilla Centre in Virunga National Park, the first national park in Africa, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nda cassi moved to Senkwe to live with other mountain gorilla orphans, cared for around the clock by staff. From day one, veterinarian Eddy Syaluha and a team of gorilla doctors (a group of veterinarians responsible for caring for endangered great apes) worked wonders.
In July 2007, rangers such as Emmanuel de Merode and Bauma, heads of Virunga National Park, witnessed the killing of mountain gorillas. It was later determined that the attack was linked to the illegal local charcoal trade. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
In July 2007, rangers found the carcass of a female mountain gorilla whose child was still trying to suck on her mother's milk. This was the later Endakassi. The family consisted of a silver-backed gorilla, four females, and three cubs, with only Endakasi surviving. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
Group photo of Nda Kasi and breeder Baboo in October 2013. Keepers live and sleep with orphaned gorillas, working three-week shifts and spending one week each month with their families. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
Mountain gorillas are sensitive, fragile, and gentle animals. They have personalities and their own preferences, and they have happy moments and sad moments, just like humans. Nda cassie shared it all with the keepers, who spent more time with these gorillas than their own families. Orphan gorillas win their hearts, and keepers come to love with the animals, always describing them as "my children."
Despite being carefully cared for, about 6 months ago, Ndacasi contracted a mysterious illness and ended up leaving Andre's arms last week. Andre embraced Ndacasi for the first time 14 years ago and, without exaggeration, is now devastated.
When I got the call, I was in another part of Virunga Park, with the park's leaders. At that time, so everyone was in a heated discussion, and when the news came, we were all silent. It was a sad accident.
Since 2007, I have had multiple missions in Virunga and come back every 18 months, so I have witnessed the growth of Ndacasi. I was impressed by how much bauma and other breeders cared for Endakasi and three other captive gorillas; the only non-wild mountain gorillas in the world to live in an orphanage in Goma.
In November 2015, keepers at the Senkwe Mountain Gorilla Center were playing with gorillas while Ndakasi was holding a ball. It is the world's only mountain gorilla orphanage that adopts orphans who have lost their parents due to poaching or conflict. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
In November 2015, Andre Bauma, the orphanage's chief keeper, taught Endakashi to paint in a night fence. Breeders want to find as many ways as possible to motivate gorillas. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
There are four breeders here, who don't have PhDs and aren't professional academics, but they know the animals better than any other expert out there, and they don't get the honors of the day.
Mountain gorillas are very similar to humans and have complex social structures. They can also be depressed, which is my personal opinion, but it seems to feel lost. We bravely tried, but after all, we could not replicate the wild environment. And it's hard to release them because they have a sense of territory and wild animals don't necessarily accept them. The release was never successful.
I know they're doing everything they can to save it, and alongside them are the best people in the world. We didn't expect that to happen. You could also say that Endakasi, like a human being, died beside those he loved and those who loved him. I don't want to be too anthropomorphic, but that's exactly what I see.
A keeper named Patrick is taking care of Endakashi. It had been ill for several months and died in October 2021, having not eaten before passing away. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
Accompanied by a team of Senkwe breeders, veterinarians Eddy Syaluha and Fabrice Malonga examined Ndacasi's condition and died shortly after. Photo by BRENT STIRTON
Observe gorilla society and you will find that it is more humane than human society. They care for others, are in good order, and take care of every member of the family. When Ndacasi's mother was killed, we can see from the footprints on the mud that its father was killed to protect the female.
Much of the work I do for National Geographic involves the illegal wildlife trade and the negative relationship between people and animals. I often witness tragic images. But whether it's rhinos, pangolins, lions, or elephants, I see that by staying with these animals for a while, respecting them, and gaining their trust, we can build a magical relationship with them. In the morning, the elephant will greet you, and when you disappear it will come to you and even tell you where the poachers are hiding.
The relationship between humans and dogs is no stranger to us, and in fact this also happens to us and other species. This is especially true for gorillas because they are very similar to humans. To breeders and many others, they are like humans, family.
On March 2, 2012, Andre Bauma, a self-proclaimed "mother gorilla," was caring for Nda cassie. Bauma also brought her children to visit orphaned gorillas, calling them "siblings." Photo by BRENT STIRTON
To give a small example: when Bauma was resting, Endakashi would sometimes walk up to him and hold his hand like a close human friend. There are also situations that we haven't explored yet, where we strictly distinguish between us and their worlds, but I think it's possible for humans and animals to get to know each other better and be more intimate, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Nda cassie is an example.
(Translator: Sky4)