We see it splashed across television screens and read it on various social media websites how rescue pilots help both people and animals in crisis. Sometimes, this involves a hiker who fell down a cliff. Other times, it’s a horse that got stuck in the mud. Regardless of who or what, we’d be lost without pilots who put everything on the line to save lives.

Once in a while, a rescue story comes along that captures your heart. While the story itself is touching, it’s the photos and video that go along with it that put a smile on your face. This is one of those stories.

A chimpanzee’s rescue warmed the hearts of people around the world.

For great pictures and stories, a lot of people turn to Instagram. Once again, this platform didn’t disappoint when someone posted a video of a touching rescue. Shared by Lwiro Primates, a chimpanzee and monkey sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo, every second of this viral video is worth watching.

Baby Mussa needed human help.

This infant chimpanzee was rescued from a poacher. Not only did that individual have illegal possession of Baby Mussa but also reptiles categorized as “protected.” The baby ended up at the Lwiro Primates sanctuary. But as it posted on its Facebook page, “Unfortunately, his family is dead. We do not know how many, maybe only the mum, but most likely several members of the family were killed.”

In a video that’s now gone viral, you can see just how much personality Baby Mussa has.

You see the pilot, Anthony Caere, carefully place the chimpanzee in his plane. Then, Baby Mussa discovers the throttle and decides to play with it a bit. As they take off, he looks out the window as if remembering the horror of losing his family. Just like a human baby, he becomes tuckered out so he takes a quick nap.

The sanctuary is doing amazing things for primates.

Although Anthony Caere was a stranger to him, this baby knew he was finally in safe hands. As the head pilot for the park’s Air Wing group, Caere inspects poacher sites and helps to rescue innocent animals. As for Lwiro Primates, it currently cares for 100 monkeys of various species, as well as 80 chimpanzees. Just this year, this sanctuary has taken in three chimpanzees with Baby Mussa one of them.

He’s starting to adjust quite well.

Itaso Velez del Burgo, the technical director of the sanctuary explained, “At the beginning, he was a bit scared of them, probably because he has spent lots of time alone without seeing another chimp. He goes on to say, “But now, he’s much more confident playing with them and laughing, even if he is still very attached to the keeper.”

He’s going to have a fantastic life.

At this time, Baby Mussa has some intestinal parasite issues, which isn’t surprising. He’s under the care of a skilled veterinarian and will recover without any problem. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated rescue pilot and sanctuary, this baby chimpanzee will have a remarkable life with other primates.

Currently, he’s spending time in quarantine with his buddies, Busakara, Kashebere, and Kalima. Not only are they getting along and grooming each other, but they’re having a blast playing just as baby chimpanzees should.

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Source: Animal Channel, Facebook