First and foremost, it’s important to say this clearly: wild animals do not belong in zoos. Animals like chimpanzees are highly intelligent, emotionally complex creatures that deserve to live freely in their natural environments. No matter how spacious an enclosure may be, no matter how much care is given, nothing can replicate the wild—the place where they truly belong. That being said, there are moments where the presence of animals in captivity results in unexpected, heart-stopping situations that shine a light on the courage and compassion that still exist in humanity.
One such moment was captured in a remarkable video we want to share with you—a video that tells a story of bravery, empathy, and a man who didn’t think twice before risking his own safety to save a life. This isn’t about glorifying zoos. It’s about recognizing an act of pure heroism in a place where, ideally, that situation would have never occurred in the first place.
Let’s take you back to the year 1990, to the Detroit Zoo in Michigan. Among the chimpanzees in the zoo’s enclosure was Jo-Jo, an 18-year-old chimpanzee. On that particular day, Jo-Jo found himself in a terrifying situation. While interacting with the other chimps, Jo-Jo was chased by a more dominant and aggressive male. In a desperate attempt to escape the confrontation, Jo-Jo leapt over the boundary that was designed to keep him away from the water-filled moat that surrounded the enclosure. Unfortunately, instead of finding safety, Jo-Jo plunged into the man-made moat—and panic set in immediately.
Chimpanzees aren’t natural swimmers, and Jo-Jo was no exception. He began to flail in the water, struggling to keep his head above the surface. He was clearly in distress, and it was quickly becoming obvious to those watching that Jo-Jo might not survive the ordeal. Around 10 visitors stood nearby, horrified, unable to do anything but watch. The zoo staff didn’t intervene either, likely because the area was off-limits and filled with potentially aggressive chimps. Among the crowd of onlookers that day was Rick Swope, a 33-year-old truck driver who had come to the zoo with his wife and three children for what was supposed to be a fun, peaceful outing.
But when Rick saw the terror in Jo-Jo’s eyes and realized no one else was going to help, he made a split-second decision that would define him as a true hero. Without regard for his own safety—and against every rule posted at the exhibit—Rick climbed over the barrier and jumped into the water to rescue the drowning chimpanzee. It’s worth noting that chimpanzees are incredibly strong. Scientists estimate that they are four to five times stronger than the average adult human. And Rick wasn’t just entering an enclosure with one chimpanzee—there were several others nearby who could have reacted unpredictably, or even violently, to his presence.
Leave a Reply