For 18 years, Terry the chimpanzee was trapped in a Las Vegas zoo. In solitary confinement, he never interacted with any other chimps before. Then, finally, his life took a turn for the best. He was rescued by the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida after the zoo was closed by animal rights activists. That's when he met Jeannie, his new best friend. Their connection was immediate; the lonely guy needed compassion, and Jeannie was there to give it. Now he won't let go of her. Literally, he won't let go! The friendly fellow was captured joyfully holding hands with her. The two let go for just a few moments, only to link up again. Even the staff workers were amazed at their chemistry.
"They went to each other and hugged. It was an immediate affection,” Molly Polidoroff, executive director at the Save the Chimps sanctuary, told ABC News. According to the sanctuary, not all chimps are compatible, but even the ones that are may take a while to be this affectionate. Terry and Jeannie are huge exceptions. However, it isn't surprising that Terry would become attached. Loneliness is just as heartbreaking for these creatures as it is for any human being. The video captured at the sanctuary doesn't have any sound, but it doesn't require any. The love and friendship Terry and Jeannie have is louder than words. It even breaks the boundaries of their very species to say: every living thing needs to be loved, and to deprive them of that is inhumane.
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