This is Mother, a 59 year-old chimpanzee who was matriarch of the colony at the Royal Burgers Zoo in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
The colony is famous as the basis of groundbreaking research involving primate behavior, resulting in the book Chimpanzee National politics by Frans De Waal.
Back in April 2016 she was coming to the end of her life, sick and not able to eat. On listening to the news, co-founder of the colony and professor of behavioral biology Jan van Hooff returned to visit Mother and pay his last respects. He had actually recognized her since 1972 and both shared a deep bond.
At first Mother, weak and seemingly approving of her nearing end, really did not identify Jan. When she does though, the emotions are clear for all to see and are just a thing of beauty.
Mama passed away peacefully one week later.
