When photographer Casey Cooper first met Mikah, a rescued spider monkey in Bolivia, he had no idea their bond would turn into something unforgettable. Two years after helping her return to the wild, Cooper visited the jungle again — and what happened next melted millions of hearts.
🌿 The First Time They Met
Four years ago, Cooper volunteered at ONCA Wildlife Rescue, a sanctuary dedicated to saving animals caught in the illegal wildlife trade. That’s where he met Mikah — a large, curious spider monkey with soulful eyes and a gentle heart.
“I was nervous at first,” Cooper told The Dodo. “But she gave me this weird look, then suddenly jumped into my arms and hugged me around the neck. It was incredible.”
From that moment, they were inseparable.
💚 Teaching Mikah to Be Wild Again
Before her rescue, Mikah had been kept as a pet. She loved people — but now she needed to learn how to be a monkey again.
Cooper worked with her for months, helping her slowly connect with a wild troop in the forest.
“We spent six to eight hours a day together,” he said. “Anytime she got scared, she’d come straight to me. I was her safe space while she learned to live in the wild.”
Eventually, Mikah grew confident and brave. The troop accepted her, and Cooper watched with pride as she disappeared into the rainforest — truly free.
Still, he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d remember him.
🐒 Two Years Later: A Miracle Reunion
Two years passed before Cooper returned to the sanctuary. He hiked into the rainforest near where Mikah’s troop lived — and suddenly, something moved in the trees.
It was her.
“She immediately made eye contact with me,” Cooper said. “Then she climbed down from the tree, walked straight up to me… and gave me a hug.”
Mikah clung to him tightly — just like she had years before. And then, as if to show him how far she’d come, she revealed something amazing.
“She was pregnant,” Cooper said. “It was like she was saying, ‘Look — I made it. I’m happy. Thank you.’”
📸 A Hug Heard Around the World
Cooper’s friend filmed the emotional moment, and when he shared it on Instagram, the world couldn’t stop watching. The short clip captured not just a reunion — but a reminder that animals remember love, too.
Though their connection was deep, Cooper knew he had to let Mikah go again.
“I wanted to acknowledge her,” he said. “But right after that video, I pushed her away and walked off. It’s important to keep that boundary — she’s a wild monkey now.”
🌏 A Bond That Never Fades
Even in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by towering trees and distant calls, Mikah remembered the man who helped her find freedom.
Her story is a reminder that compassion leaves a lasting mark — even across species.
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🐾 A Lesson from the Wild
For Casey Cooper, the encounter reaffirmed everything he believes about nature.
“When you spend time with animals like Mikah, you realize how aware and emotional they really are,” he said. “They don’t forget kindness.”
And now, thanks to his story, the world won’t forget Mikah either.