Truck driver jumped into forbidden zoo enclosure to rescue a drowning Chimp when no one else would

Zoos tend to place signs around the enclosures of the animals, warning visitors not to get too close. However, that didn’t stop one brave truck driver from jumping inside one in order to save a chimpanzee’s life.

As Rick Swope, his wife, and their three children were admiring the animals at the Detroit zoo, they witnessed a fight breaking out between two male chimps. 

Source: YouTube/ Animal Planet

Jo-Jo, one of the chimps which was less aggressive and tried to avoid the fight, fell into the the moat which was deep. The poor animal started drowning and people were just helplessly looking at him, still unaware of what was happening. 

Then, Swope jumped into the water without hesitating even a bit. He grabbed the chimp and brought him back to safety. The onlookers were left in complete shock because of the incredible scene that unfolded in front of their eyes. 

“It was the most pitiful thing I ever saw,” Swope said after the rescue. “This chimp had his hands up and his head was sticking out of the water. He was looking at the crowd. It was like he wanted someone to rescue him.”

During the rescue, the zoo staff kept telling Swope to get out, but he never thought of doing that without Jo-Jo. “People . . . were showing me which direction he was in,” Swope recalled. “The water was so dirty you couldn`t see through it. I swam around on the bottom. Finally I found him.”

Source: YouTube/ Animal Planet

Luckily, Swope managed to get Jo-Jo over a cable designed to keep chimps from slipping in the moat. 

“He was pretty lifeless, but you could see he was still alive. He was looking at me. I think he knew what was going on,” Swope said.

Jo-Jo looked straight into Swope’s eyes as though he was saying thank you. He was aware a man saved his life that day. 

“Well, you see, I happened to look into his eyes, and it was like looking into the eyes of a man, and the message was, ‘Won’t anybody help me?’”

Source: YouTube/ Animal Planet

Jane Goodall from the zoo said how Jo-Jo’s life wasn’t an easy one. He was brought to the zoo when he was very young after his mom was killed by poachers. 

“[But] if you see that look with your eyes, and you feel it in your heart, you have to jump in and try to help,” she said.

This is definitely one of the most dramatic rescues you’ve ever seen. Swope is such an incredible man. He risked his life for an animal’s and that speaks a lot of his bravery.

Please SHARE this touching story with your family and friends on Facebook!

Monica Pop
Monica Pop
Monica Pop is a senior writer for Bored Daddy magazine covering the latest trending and popular articles across the United States and around the world.

More from author

Related posts

Latest posts

Woman scammed out of $850,000 after thinking she was dating Brad Pitt

A French woman was led to believe she was romantically involved with high-profile actor Brad Pitt, being scammed out of $850,000 along the way....

I gave my coat to a homeless woman; three years later, she returned with a gray case and a smile

Until my wife's tragic passing, Christmas was the day of the year I loved the most. But when I lost Jenny, it turned into...

Meteorologist who warned early about LA wildfires, saving hundreds, shares his next big concern

When he issued an early warning about the LA wildfires, meteorologist and climate scientist Edgar McGregor, who has since been dubbed a "hero," has...

After our divorce, my ex ripped off the wallpaper because ‘he paid for it’ – karma got him

My husband's infidelity went unpunished. He convinced me it was just a one-time thing, that it didn't mean anything, and I forgave him because...

Heartbreaking: Jennifer Garner shares the loss of a friend in California wildfires

Actress Jennifer Garner spoke of the loss of a friend amid California wildfires. Sadly, this comes shortly after the passing of her beloved father....

Star-studded lineup for Donald Trump’s inauguration announced

The list of celebrities performing for Donald Trump's inauguration has been revealed. Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States...