At Detroit Zoo in 1990, Jo-Jo the chimpanzee plummeted into a holding moat while fleeing a fight, immediately struggling since chimpanzees are poor swimmers. Among the shocked onlookers was Rick Swope, a truck driver who quickly sprang into action.
Risking his safety in water shared with potentially aggressive chimps, Rick dived to rescue Jo-Jo after he slipped underwater. The heavy animal and murky water made the rescue difficult, but Rick’s efforts pulled the chimp to safety.
Rick described the moment of connection he felt with Jo-Jo—a silent understanding amid desperation. His spontaneous heroism became a memorable story of how human courage and empathy can save lives, even in the most unexpected settings.
