The ‘Human-Like’ Gorilla Selfie That Captured a Remarkable Bond
A photograph showing two young gorillas standing upright behind a man in what appears to be a perfectly staged selfie has captivated people around the world. But the remarkable image was completely real.
The photograph was taken by Mathieu Shamavu in 2019 at the Senkwekwe Mountain Gorilla Center in Virunga National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Behind him, two young female gorillas stood on their hind legs, appearing to deliberately pose for the camera. One even adopted an almost human-like slouch.
The unusual posture was not simply a coincidence. The gorillas had been raised around humans and were known to imitate some human behaviours, including standing upright.
One of the gorillas, Ndakasi, had a particularly touching story. She was rescued in 2007 when she was only two months old after armed men killed her mother. Her caretaker, Andre Bauma, comforted her by holding her against his bare chest during her first night in captivity.
Bauma subsequently cared for Ndakasi for the next 14 years, developing a close bond with the orphaned gorilla.
Ndakasi died in September 2021 at the age of 14, with Bauma by her side. Reflecting on their years together, he described caring for her as a privilege and said her gentle personality and intelligence helped him better understand the extraordinary connection between humans and great apes.
What looks like a perfectly choreographed photograph is therefore much more than a funny selfie. It captures a remarkable moment in the lives of rescued gorillas—and a powerful reminder of the deep bonds that can develop between humans and these extraordinary animals.
The ‘Human-Like’ Gorilla Selfie That Captured a Remarkable Bond