Sam (Simon) and Rakker arrived at GAP Sanctuary in Sorocaba, almost 10 years ago. When they were babies, en error in the handling at Amsterdam Zoo caused an almost fatal attack of several females of a group that Rakker was introduced in and was not accepted. Sam had better luck and managed to integrate in the group, but never forgot his friend, who had to undergo multiple surgeries to recover from the wounds covering his body.

For two years Rakker was isolated in a big cage while he was recovering. Occasionally, Sam visited him to lift his spirit with games in order to forget his risk of death. Another character also entered in both their lives: Rick van Groningen, now an adult, who was then a child.

As you can see in the photo above, Rick and their handlers played with both, especially with Rakker, when he was alone, to help in his recovery. Rick’s father was as keeper at the zoo.

Rick sent us a message a few days ago to know about both chimpanzees. We answered him and sent him pictures of his childhood friends.

Rakker saved the trauma inside your soul. When he hears a raging chimpanzee in neighboring enclosures, he freaks out, remembering his experience when he was a baby, that will never be eradicated from his mind. Rakker is very humanized due to the contact he had with Rick and his attendants after the incident. Sam maintains that friendship and love of babies, when they were joined to be companions after one being born in Belgium and one in Holland.

Sam is jealous of the relationship of some humans with Rakker, especially me, and sometimes he does not welcome me. But in a few minutes he turns to be the playful Sam.. Sam likes toys, preferably carts and tractors, which, unlike other chimpanzees, he does not disassemble and keeps them intact, playing with them for a long time.

Both chimpanzees marked Rick’s life. There is no doubt that the three will always remember the good times they lived together until the misunderstandings of life separated them.