In 2008, a visit to the Detroit Zoo took an astonishing turn when an ordinary day of animal-watching turned into a daring rescue. Two chimpanzees were entertaining the crowd, playfully chasing each other around their enclosure. However, the fun quickly turned serious when one of the chimps accidentally fell into the moat surrounding the enclosure and began struggling to stay afloat.
Without hesitation, a courageous visitor named Rick Swope sprang into action. Ignoring the potential risks, he jumped into the water to save the struggling chimp and successfully pulled it to safety.
Don’t miss the full video at the end of this article!
Rick Swope stood at the front of the chimpanzee exhibit, frozen in shock at what he was witnessing. One of the chimps, caught up in an energetic chase through the trees, made a sharp turn and lost his footing. Unfortunately, his fall landed him in a dangerous spot—a deep moat surrounding the enclosure.
To Rick’s horror, the chimp was clearly not a strong swimmer and struggled desperately to keep his head above water. Even more distressing, none of the zoo staff made any move to intervene and help the drowning primate.
It remains uncertain why the zookeepers didn’t intervene to save the struggling chimp, but Rick Swope didn’t hesitate to take action.
Recalling the moment in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Swope described the heartbreaking scene as one of the most distressing things he had ever witnessed.
‘The chimp had his hands raised, and his head was just barely above the water,’ Swope shared. ‘He looked at the crowd as if he was pleading for someone to save him.
That was all the motivation Rick Swope needed to put his own safety on the line to rescue the struggling chimp. Without hesitation, he climbed over the tall fence, jumped into the enclosure, and dove into the murky moat. The water was so cloudy that Rick couldn’t see beneath the surface, forcing him to rely on touch as he searched for the distressed animal.
The crowd of onlookers played a crucial role in the rescue. When Rick couldn’t locate the chimp, he turned to the spectators for guidance. They quickly pointed him in the right direction, allowing him to dive to the bottom, find the chimp, and bring him safely to the surface.
He looked almost lifeless, but it was clear he was still hanging on,” Rick Swope shared with the Chicago Tribune. “He was looking right at me, and I think he understood what was happening. The chimp didn’t make any move to harm me.”
Unsure of his next steps, Rick briefly considered giving the chimp mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. However, his decision was made for him when the other chimpanzee charged down the hill, baring its teeth. Taking the aggressive display as a clear warning, Rick knew it was time to get out of the enclosure as quickly as possible.
What are your thoughts on this incredible story? Do you think you would have had the courage to step in and save the chimp? Share your opinion in the comments and pass this along to your friends and family to hear their take as well!
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