The Heartwarming Bond of Mama and Jan van Hooff

The Final Reunion

The story of Mama, a chimpanzee, and Jan van Hooff, a Dutch primatologist, is one of those rare tales that tugs at your heartstrings. It’s a beautiful reminder of the deep connections that can grow between humans and animals, especially primates, when trust and care are built over decades.

Who is Jan van Hooff?

Jan van Hooff, was born on May 15, 1936, in Arnhem, Netherlands. He is a biologist whose life has been all about understanding animals. As a child, he grew up surrounded by creatures like lions, tigers, and even a baby macaque who shared his home, talk about an unusual childhood! This sparked a lifelong passion for studying animal behaviour, particularly in primates. He served as a professor of comparative physiology at Utrecht University from 1980 to 2001 and stayed closely tied to Royal Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem, a place his grandfather Johan Burgers founded.

Inspired by Charles Darwin’s ideas about emotions in animals and humans, van Hooff dove into researching how primates interact, communicate, and even express feelings like joy through smiles or laughter. In 1971, he helped create a groundbreaking chimpanzee colony at Burgers' Zoo, which became a hub for studying primate behaviour. His work, alongside researchers like his PhD student Frans de Waal, showed just how much we share with our closest animal relatives.

Who was Mama?

Mama was no ordinary chimpanzee. Born around 1957, Royal Burgers' Zoo was her ‘home’ and sadly all she knew. There, she became the oldest chimp in the Netherlands, living to the ripe age of 59 when she passed in 2016. That’s an impressive age for a captive chimp, but it’s hard not to wonder how she might’ve thrived in the wild, swinging through African forests. At the zoo, Mama was the heart of the chimpanzee colony, a strong-willed leader with a big personality. She and van Hooff had a special bond that began in 1972 when the colony was set up, growing stronger over 44 years.

A Heartfelt Goodbye

In April 2016, Mama was nearing the end of her life, battling a terminal illness. Too weak to eat or drink, she lay curled up in her enclosure, barely responsive. Jan van Hooff, who’d had a bond with her for four decades, came to say goodbye. What happened next was captured in a video that touched many, for its raw, emotional power.

At first, Mama seemed unaware of van Hooff’s presence, lost in her frailty. But when he spoke to her, something incredible happened. Her face lit up with a wide grin—a sign of joy or affection, as van Hooff’s research had shown. She reached out, gently touching his face and pulling him close in what felt like a warm, loving embrace. Van Hooff spoke softly, stroked her fur, and even got her to eat a little, something she’d refused to do. It was a moment of pure connection, a testament to their trust and love. Sadly, Mama passed away just a week later, making this their final moment together.

Sources suggest Mama hadn’t seen van Hooff for several months before this reunion, meaning their last meeting was likely in late 2015, perhaps during one of his routine visits to the zoo. Those earlier moments, though less documented, were surely filled with the same warmth, as Mama was known to greet him with excited calls and big gestures.

Why “Wizard” Jan van Hooff?

You might’ve heard van Hooff called a “wizard,” a playful nickname that captures his almost magical way with primates. While it’s not an official title, it fits. His deep understanding of chimpanzee behaviour honed over years of studying their expressions and social cues, let him connect with Mama in a way that felt extraordinary. Watching him elicit such a heartfelt response from her, even in her final days, it’s easy to see why people might think of him as a bit of a magician.

Mama and van Hooff’s story isn’t just about one touching moment, it’s a window into his life’s work and highlights the importance of complex emotion and sentience in Chimpanzees. His research at Burgers' Zoo showed that chimpanzees aren’t so different from us. They resolve conflicts, reconcile after fights, and feel emotions deeply, just like humans. The zoo’s chimpanzee colony, one of the first of its kind, gave researchers a unique chance to study these behaviors up close, with Mama as a central figure. That video of their reunion brought van Hooff’s findings to life, showing the world that chimps can form lasting, meaningful bonds and they never forget those that loved them.

Beyond the zoo, van Hooff’s love for primates fueled his efforts to protect them. He founded the Ketambe Research Station in Sumatra to study wild primates and served as president of the Jane Goodall Institute of the Netherlands, advocating for great apes facing threats like habitat loss and poaching. His bond with Mama mirrored his broader mission to understand and preserve these incredible creatures.

A Call to Rethink Zoos

Mama and van Hooff’s story also shines a light on a bigger truth: all animals, especially primates, are sentient beings. Science, including van Hooff’s work, keeps proving this—chimpanzees feel joy, grief, and empathy, recognize themselves in mirrors, use tools, and build complex social worlds. These discoveries challenge us to think about how we treat them.

Mama lived a long life at Burgers' Zoo, but it was in a cage, not the lush forests where chimps belong. Zoos, even those focused on research, often put human curiosity above animal freedom, keeping chimps from roaming, foraging, being stimulated by nature or living as nature intended. Mama deserved to be reconnected with her natural surroundings. Imagine if Mama had spent time in a sanctuary, surrounded by trees and space to be herself in her final chapter—it would’ve honoured her sentience in a way the zoo never could. As we learn more about animal consciousness, it’s clear that chimpanzees don’t belong in zoos. Instead, we should protect their wild habitat and support sanctuaries that put their well-being first.

Mama’s grin and gentle touch in that final moment with van Hooff remind us of the emotional lives animals lead. Let’s honour that by giving them the lives they deserve—free, wild, and full of possibility.

by

Carlita Shaw

Why My Work Matters

References for Further Reading

On Jan van Hooff and Mama

1. Wikipedia: Jan van Hooff
   Provides a detailed overview of van Hooff’s career, research, and contributions to primatology.
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_van_Hooff

2. The Dodo: “Dying Chimp Says Goodbye to Old Friend”
   Describes the emotional reunion between Mama and van Hooff, with insights into their bond.
   

3. BBC News: “Chimpanzee Mama’s Emotional Farewell”
   Covers the viral video and its impact, highlighting Mama’s reaction and van Hooff’s work.
   

On Animal Sentience and Chimpanzee Welfare

4. de Waal, F. (2016). Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
   Written by van Hooff’s student, this book explores primate intelligence and emotions, including insights from the Burgers' Zoo colony.
   Available at major bookstores or libraries.

5. Bekoff, M., & Pierce, J. (2019). The Animals’ Agenda: Freedom, Compassion, and Coexistence in the Human Age
   Discusses animal sentience and the ethical implications of captivity, advocating for better treatment of animals like chimpanzees.
   Available at major bookstores or libraries.

6. Goodall, J., & Bekoff, M. (2021). “The Science of Animal Sentience”
   An article summarizing research on primate sentience, including studies on mirror self-recognition and emotional complexity.
   https://www.janegoodall.org.uk/animal-sentience

7. The Nonhuman Rights Project: “Chimpanzee Rights”
   Explores legal and ethical arguments against keeping chimpanzees in zoos, advocating for sanctuaries and conservation.
   https://www.nonhumanrights.org/chimpanzee-rights/