The story of Binti Jua: The gorilla who stunned the world

December 22, 2025 by salah

Gorillas have long been seen as fearsome creatures, largely due to their powerful build — stocky frames, thick bones, and long arms.

Their reputation for aggression, however, is more a product of Hollywood portrayals, with films like King Kong fueling the myth. But as Binti Jua proved, these stereotypes couldn’t be further from the truth.

A similar incident occurred with another gorilla, Jambo, at Jersey Zoo, when he protected a child who fell into his enclosure. But the debate over what motivates animals to act in such compassionate ways doesn’t lessen the beauty of the actions themselves.

Who was the boy Binti Jua saved

Very little is known about the boy Binti Jua saved that day — his name was never made public at the request of his parents. What we do know is that he was initially listed in critical condition but was later expected to make a full recovery.

He suffered head injuries, broken bones in one hand, and multiple scrapes and cuts.

A few days after the incident, one of his doctors shared an update, suggesting the toddler was doing surprisingly well.

“He’s acting quite normal. He does not remember anything about the events and we haven’t asked him anything about it.”

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