Kifu the Silverback, the Food Thief, and the Girl He’s Known His Entire Life π¦π
A Story of Trust, Laughter, and Rewilding Nearly 80 Gorillas**
There are moments in life that stay with you forever—moments so unexpected, so ridiculous, and somehow so heart-melting that they become stories you retell for years. And today’s story stars none other than Kifu, the majestic silverback gorilla I’ve known my entire life, who recently decided that I—yes, the human who brings him treats, love, and endless patience—was apparently trying to eat his food.
Let me clarify: I was not trying to eat his food.
He absolutely thought I was.
And the look he gave me? Pure drama, pure betrayal, pure Kifu. π
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But before we get into the comedy of that moment, let me paint the full picture. Because Kifu is so much more than a dramatic silverback with a passion for snacks. He is part of my family, part of my history, and part of one of the most groundbreaking conservation success stories on Earth.
And his story, along with the stories of his children, represents something truly extraordinary:
proof that rewilding gorillas is not just possible—it's happening.
We have already rewilded nearly 80 gorillas, and to this day, we remain the only organisation in the world to ever return captive-born gorillas to the wild.
This is not a theory.
This is not a dream.
This is real.
And it all begins with individuals like Kifu.
Growing Up With a Silverback
People sometimes ask what it’s like to know a gorilla your entire life. It’s a strange question to answer, because for me, it’s normal the way someone else might grow up with a dog, or a cousin, or a grumpy but lovable uncle. Kifu has always just… been there.
He is one of the most powerful animals on earth, but also one of the most expressive. You always know what he’s thinking—even when you wish you didn’t. Like when he’s judging you. Or when he’s begging for food. Or when he’s accusing you (wrongfully, I might add) of stealing said food.
Our connection has been built over decades, and over thousands of tiny interactions—trust earned slowly, love exchanged gently, and respect maintained always. These relationships are never forced. They grow the way all meaningful relationships do: naturally, with patience, kindness, and understanding.
He knows my voice.
He knows my footsteps.
He knows when I’m happy, stressed, tired, or trying to hide a banana he is absolutely convinced belongs to him.
The Great “She’s Eating My Food!” Incident ππ
Now, let’s get to the moment that inspired this entire post.
It was a normal day at the sanctuary. The kind of day where the air smells like earth, the forest hums with life, and the gorillas are in their usual moods—ranging somewhere between sleepy, mischievous, and “feed me more, human.”
I brought Kifu one of his favourite foods. And instead of calmly accepting it, he gave me that look.
THE LOOK.
The one that says:
“I see you.
I know what you’re doing.
And I don’t trust it.”
He leaned forward, widened his eyes like a suspicious grandpa, and very slowly pulled the food closer to himself—never breaking eye contact, as if daring me to even think about taking a bite.
Mind you, I was holding the food out to him. Offering it. Presenting it like a gift.
But in Kifu’s mind?
I was apparently seconds away from gobbling down his snack and betraying our entire lifelong friendship.
I laughed so hard I had to put my hands on my knees.
Kifu grunted dramatically and clutched his food like I was a thief caught red-handed.
He is a 400-pound silverback.
I am a human who literally provides his meals.
And yet, in that moment, he saw me as competition. π
This is classic Kifu—endearing, dramatic, protective, and utterly convinced the world revolves around his plate.
Why Kifu Cannot Return to the Wild
This is an important part of his story.
As much as I love Kifu, and as much as we love all the gorillas in our care, not every gorilla can be rewilded. Some, like Kifu, for various reasons—background, upbringing, behaviour, or early life trauma—cannot safely or successfully live in the wild.
For him, the sanctuary is his home.
A place where he is safe, respected, loved, and understood.
A place where he lives a full, enriched life without fear, without instability, and without the threat of poachers or habitat destruction.
And while Kifu cannot return to the wild, he has contributed something deeply meaningful to it—something that will outlive all of us.
Kifu the Father of Five Rewilded Sons π¦π
Here is where his story becomes extraordinary.
Kifu has five sons who have returned to the wild—at our rewilding projects in Gabon and Congo, where we protect over one million acres of habitat.
These boys are thriving.
Living freely.
Forming their own families.
Climbing through the canopy the way gorillas are meant to.
Breathing wild air.
Eating wild foods.
Living wild lives.
Kifu may never walk those forests himself, but his bloodline does. His legacy does. His spirit does. His sons are out there living the life he could not—and doing so successfully, confidently, naturally.
This is one of the most beautiful parts of conservation work:
Sometimes the individuals who stay behind become the foundation for those who are able to go forward.
Rewilding Nearly 80 Gorillas — A World First. A World Only.
Let’s say this clearly because it deserves to be said:
We are the only organisation in the world that has ever sent gorillas back to the wild.
And we have rewilded nearly 80.
No one else has achieved this.
No one else is doing this.
This is conservation at its bravest, most ambitious, and most hopeful.
The world often says things like:
“You can’t release captive-born animals.”
“They won’t survive.”
“They won’t know what to do.”
“It’s too risky.”
“It’s impossible.”
But the forest says otherwise.
And so do those nearly 80 gorillas.
We have watched them:
– Learn to climb
– Learn to forage
– Form social bonds
– Build nests
– Raise young
– Navigate their territories
– Integrate fully into wild landscapes
We have seen the impossible become possible.
We have seen hope turn into reality.
We have seen captivity transformed into freedom.
Every gorilla we rewild carries a part of us with them—but they also carry something greater: they carry the truth that this can be done.
Protecting Over One Million Acres of Habitat
Rewilding cannot exist without protection.
In Gabon and Congo, our teams protect more than 1,000,000+ acres of pristine wilderness. This isn’t a fenced-off area. This isn’t a zoo. This is true rainforest—towering canopies, deep rivers, endless silence, and a richness of life that feels like stepping into the beginning of the world.
Within these forests, our rewilded gorillas live without human interference. They live fully wild lives, monitored only at a distance for their safety and health.
This isn’t captivity.
This isn’t semi-wild.
This is the real thing.
Kifu’s Legacy: More Than a Silverback With a Big Appetite
So back to Kifu—our food-protecting, side-eye-throwing, lovable silverback.
He isn’t just a character in our sanctuary.
He is a cornerstone of a conservation legacy.
He is a father to wild gorillas.
He is a symbol of resilience, protection, and second chances.
He is a living reminder of why this work matters.
Every time he accuses me of stealing his food, I laugh. But I also feel a deep pride. Because this dramatic, expressive, intelligent gorilla has given the world something precious: the next generation of wild gorillas in Central Africa.
And one day, when I visit our projects in Gabon or Congo and I hear branches rustling overhead…
And I look up to see one of Kifu’s sons living freely in the canopy…
I know exactly why we do this.
Proving It Can Be Done ❤️π₯π¦π
Kifu’s story—and his sons’ stories—are living proof that the impossible is possible.
Rewilding works.
Gorillas can return to the wild.
They can thrive.
They can rebuild families.
They can reclaim forests.
They can help restore ecosystems.
We have seen it with our own eyes.
We have nearly 80 reasons to believe.
We are still the only people in the world who have ever done this.
And we are not done yet.
So the next time Kifu “accuses” me of trying to eat his food, I’ll be grateful for the moment of humor—because behind the laughter, behind the silliness, lies a story of transformation, hope, and the extraordinary journey of a silverback who, even in sanctuary, continues to change the world.
And honestly…
Maybe one day he’ll trust me around his food.
(But probably not.) π
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