Meet Tambaby — The Most Loving Gorilla I’ve Ever Met 🩷🦍
There are certain souls who remind you that love doesn’t need words, that connection transcends species, and that trust — when it’s given freely — is one of the most beautiful things on Earth. Tambaby is one of those souls. She is, without a doubt, one of the most loving gorillas I have ever met, and I feel deeply grateful every single day to share my life with her.
I’ve known Tambaby my entire life. She was born and raised at our rescue sanctuary, and from the very beginning, our bond has been something truly special — something that could never be forced or fabricated. It’s a connection built entirely on love and trust, the two foundations that shape everything we do here.
When people see me with her, they often ask how it’s possible to be so close to a gorilla — one of nature’s most powerful and majestic beings. But Tambaby has always shown that beneath that incredible strength lies an immense capacity for gentleness. Her heart is enormous. She’s affectionate, curious, and kind. When she looks at you with those deep, soulful eyes, it’s as though she sees straight into your heart.
A Relationship Built on Love, Not Control
From the start, we made a promise — that every relationship we form with the animals at our sanctuary will always be on their terms. We don’t use fear, dominance, or conditioning. We build relationships through time, respect, and an abundance of love.
Tambaby responded to that love in a way that’s difficult to describe. She has always been gentle with me — never possessive, never aggressive — only trusting. We spend hours together, often in silence, just being. Sometimes she’ll rest her head softly against my shoulder, or reach out to hold my hand. Those moments feel sacred. They remind me that connection doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful.
That’s the magic of Tambaby. Her love isn’t something you earn through tricks or training. It’s something she gives because she feels safe. And that, to me, is the greatest honor of all.
The Bigger Picture — Rewilding Gorillas 🦍🌍
Tambaby is part of a much bigger mission — one that defines the heart of our work at the sanctuary. We are the only people in the world to have ever successfully sent gorillas back to the wild. It’s something we’re incredibly proud of, and it’s at the core of everything we do.
To date, nearly 80 gorillas have been rewilded — including several of Tambaby’s extended family — and almost 2,000 animals of various species have been returned to their natural homes across the world. Each release represents years of care, patience, and rehabilitation. It’s never easy. The goal is not just to save lives, but to give those lives purpose and freedom again.
Gorillas belong in the forests — not in enclosures, not behind glass, not as entertainment. Our mission has always been about restoring that balance, about undoing the harm that humans have done, and helping these extraordinary beings reclaim the wild places they deserve.
Tambaby’s Story — A Symbol of Hope
Tambaby represents everything that’s possible when love guides the way. Her gentle spirit reminds us why we fight so hard for the animals we rescue. Every day, I look at her and see hope — hope for the future of her species, and for the natural world itself.
There was a time when Tambaby’s kind faced near extinction in certain regions. Poaching, habitat loss, and illegal wildlife trade devastated their numbers. Many gorillas we’ve rescued came from heartbreaking circumstances — orphaned, traumatized, or injured. Yet even after such suffering, they show us forgiveness. They choose to trust again. They choose to love. That’s the miracle of gorillas like Tambaby.
Lessons from Tambaby
Tambaby has taught me more about life than any classroom ever could. She’s taught me patience — that trust takes time, and that real love can’t be rushed. She’s shown me empathy — how to read silence, how to sense emotion beyond words. And above all, she’s taught me humility — that no matter how much we think we know, nature always knows more.
When she looks at me, I feel a profound sense of calm. It’s as though she’s reminding me that everything is connected — that humans and animals are not separate, but part of one vast, beautiful web of life. That awareness changes how you see the world. It makes you want to protect it even more fiercely.
Only Love and Trust 🫶
That’s truly the secret behind everything we do. We don’t believe in control. We believe in connection. We don’t believe in ownership. We believe in partnership.
With Tambaby, that philosophy has created a bond that’s entirely natural. She chooses to be with me. She chooses to show affection. She chooses to trust. And in return, I give her my complete respect and devotion.
Every interaction with her reinforces that love is the most powerful force on Earth — more powerful than fear, stronger than any cage. It’s what allows us to rewild animals, to heal broken spirits, and to prove to the world that coexistence is possible.
A Future Worth Fighting For ❤️🔥
As I watch Tambaby thrive, surrounded by the lush greenery of our sanctuary, I can’t help but imagine her future — maybe one day, she too will walk free in the forests of Africa, where she belongs. That’s the dream we hold for every gorilla in our care.
We’ve already rewilded nearly 80, and each success strengthens our belief that anything is possible when compassion leads the way. Nearly 2,000 animals — from gorillas and lions to antelope and rhinos — have been given their freedom back through our rewilding projects. It’s an extraordinary legacy, one that we’re determined to continue.
Tambaby’s story is a reminder that every life matters, that every creature deserves love, and that when we work with nature — not against it — beautiful things happen.
So here’s to Tambaby — my gentle friend, my teacher, my inspiration. She may be one gorilla, but her heart represents the best of what humanity can achieve when guided by empathy and respect.
Because in the end, it all comes down to this simple truth:
Only love and trust can truly heal the wild. 🩷🦍🌿
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