Wounda: The Chimpanzee Who Said “Thank You” Without Words

There are moments in life that remind us what true kindness looks like — moments that go beyond language, beyond species, and straight into the soul. One of those moments happened deep in the forests of the Congo, when a chimpanzee named Wounda met the woman who helped save her life — Dr. Jane Goodall.

Wounda’s story began in tragedy. She was found weak, starving, and barely clinging to life after being rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Her name, Wounda, means “close to death” — a name chosen by the team at the Jane Goodall Institute, because they weren’t sure she would make it through the night.

But they refused to give up on her.
Under the care of Dr. Rebeca Atencia and the staff at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, Wounda slowly began to heal. Day by day, she regained her strength — and along the way, she rediscovered something even more powerful than survival: trust.

Months later, when she was finally healthy enough to be released into the wild, Jane Goodall herself joined the team for the moment that would make history. As the cage door opened, Wounda stepped out… and then, instead of running to the forest, she turned back.

She looked into Jane’s eyes — and embraced her.
A long, tender, human-like hug.

No words. Just gratitude.

That hug has since been seen by millions of people around the world, and it continues to move hearts to tears. Because in that single moment, Wounda showed us something we often forget: love is universal. Compassion needs no language.

Wounda’s release was more than a success story — it was a message. A reminder that when we care for the earth and its creatures, we also heal a part of ourselves.

Today, Wounda lives free on Tchindzoulou Island, surrounded by other rescued chimps — a living symbol of hope, resilience, and the incredible power of empathy.

As Jane Goodall once said:

“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.”

And Wounda’s hug proved it.