Zookeepers refuse to save drowning chimpanzee – then a truck driver breaks into his cage

We believe wild animals, like chimpanzees, belong in the wild — not in zoos. No matter how well they’re cared for, freedom is always better.

That said, we had to share this incredible rescue story. In 1990, at the Detroit Zoo, a chimpanzee named Jo-Jo fell into a moat while fleeing a more aggressive chimp. Struggling to stay afloat, Jo-Jo was clearly drowning.

Among the onlookers was Rick Swope, a 33-year-old truck driver visiting with his family. Ignoring warning signs, Rick jumped into the enclosure to save the panicked chimp, even though chimps are much stronger than humans and the area was dangerous.

Despite challenges — including losing grip of Jo-Jo at one point — Rick managed to pull the 200-pound chimp to safety. Jo-Jo survived, and Rick later said, “He was looking at me. I think he knew what was going on.”

Now that’s true heroism.