Truck Driver Risks His Life to Save Drowning Chimpanzee After Zookeepers Refuse to Help
Wild animals belong in nature, not behind bars — but sometimes, even in captivity, humanity shines in unexpected ways.
This story dates back to 1990 at the Detroit Zoo, when a terrifying incident nearly cost a chimpanzee his life.
A chimp named Jo-Jo had been chased by a more dominant male and ended up falling into a moat that surrounded their enclosure. Panicked and unable to climb out, Jo-Jo began to drown as horrified onlookers watched from behind the safety rail.
Among them was Rick Swope, a 33-year-old truck driver visiting the zoo with his wife and three kids. When he saw the chimp fighting to stay afloat — and no staff rushing in to help — Rick’s instincts took over.
Ignoring warning signs and shouts from others, he vaulted the fence and dove straight into the enclosure.
It was a reckless move — chimpanzees can be up to five times stronger than humans, and the enclosure was filled with other apes that could turn aggressive at any moment. But Rick didn’t care. He was determined to save Jo-Jo.
The rescue wasn’t easy. Rick struggled through the murky water, trying to get a grip on the panicking animal. At one point, Jo-Jo slipped from his grasp and disappeared beneath the surface. But Rick dove again, refusing to give up — and finally managed to drag the 200-pound chimp to safety.
Jo-Jo was weak and barely breathing when they reached solid ground, but he was alive — thanks to Rick’s bravery.
“He was looking right at me,” Rick later told the Chicago Tribune. “I really think he understood what was happening.”
That day, one man’s courage and compassion bridged the gap between species — reminding everyone watching what true heroism looks like.