A chimpanzee with dark fur stands outdoors amidst trees in a natural setting during daytime. 5:06
Dr. Jane Goodall & the Jane Goodall Institute USA channel icon Dr. Jane Goodall & the Jane Goodall Institute USAOriginal creator 59K views Save

Wounda the chimp hugs Jane Goodall

Wounda's name means "close to die," and one of the people caring for her says it fits. The young chimpanzee came that close more than once. more

Now she waits inside a red metal cage among the trees while a woman in a green jacket kneels beside it. When the door opens, she'll step out onto an island the team calls paradise.

A woman in a green jacket kneels beside a red metal cage outdoors, near leafy plants and a thatched roof. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Wounda waits in her cage while a woman in a green jacket kneels close by.

Wounda arrived at the Jane Goodall Institute's rehabilitation center in the Republic of Congo underfed, hurt and close to death. More than 160 chimpanzees live at the center. Her last close call was a serious illness that left her thin and very sick, and the team brought her through it. "Unbelievable," one of them says of the change, and then says it again.

Jane Goodall is there for the release. "This is a really exciting moment for me," she says. Wounda nearly died, she adds, and pulled through thanks to Rebecca.

Jane Goodall, her hair white, stands outdoors facing forward with green leaves behind her. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Jane Goodall calls this a really exciting moment and says Wounda nearly died.

Jane has seen Wounda at her worst. "Now she has a will to live," she says, and Wounda is about to become the 15th chimpanzee to get her freedom on the island.

The hope is to have about 60 here one day, and the rest are "all waiting, waiting, waiting." Jane allows herself a small smile as the moment gets close.

Jane Goodall smiles slightly as she stands outdoors near green plants and a wooden fence. A headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Jane hopes to see about 60 chimpanzees living free on the island one day.

Then the door opens. Wounda comes out, reaches around Jane Goodall and holds on. She hugs the people who cared for her, too, and it's easy to see why so many people call it a thank-you hug.

A chimpanzee with dark fur stands outdoors amidst trees in a natural setting during daytime. The headline runs in white letters across the lower third.Save
Wounda's name means "close to die," and one of the people caring for her says it fits.

After that she lets go and runs off into the jungle. For a chimp whose name means close to die, she looks very much alive.

#animalrescue