Heartbreaking moment gorilla pictured in viral selfie dies in arms of ranger who rescued her as a baby

THIS is the heartbreaking moment a gorilla – who became an online sensation thanks to a viral selfie – died in the arms of the ranger who rescued her. Ndakasi, 14, was an orphan saved from the rainforest and brought to Virunga National Park in the Congo by Andre Bauma, 49, in 2007. VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARKA gorilla takes his last breaths in the arms of the ranger who rescued and cared for her[/caption] AP:Associated PressNdakasi became a viral star thanks to this selfie back in 2019[/caption] From then on, the great ape considered Andre her surrogate mother and their bond is captured in the gentle animal’s final picture. The image shows Ndakasi taking her last breaths cradled in the arms of the man who cared for her. Ndakasi first gained worldwide attention through a selfie in 2019 which her and fellow rescued gorilla Ndeze standing upright like humans. The picture, which was shared thousands of times on Facebook when it was first uploaded, was captioned “another day at the office.” Ndakasi died aged 14 last week after a long battle with ill health. In a statement, the park said: “Ndakasi took her final breath in the loving arms of her caretaker and lifelong friend, Andre Bauma.” Andre found the weeks-old baby gorilla clinging to her dead mother who had been shot in the back of the head. The infant weighed just over 5lbs and was 18inches long. Most read in News KNIFE RAMPAGE Man dead and 2 others hurt in triple stabbing as suspect in 50s held by cops 'IT'S TERRIFYING' Woman held at Sarah Everard vigil says '50 cops' contacted her on Tinder 'TOTAL SHOCK' Dad reveals last moments of wife killed as she took pic of I'm A Celeb castle OUTBREAK HORROR Mystery fever kills 24 kids in India with eight children dying within HOURS TAKING THE OUI France swiped 5m Covid jab doses from UK in shocking post-Brexit tantrum BAD SAMARITAN Robber wheels double amputee out of hospital - so he can mug him in car park She eventually grew into a health adult weighing 143lbs (65kg). Of their bond, Andre said: “Whenever she sees me she climbs on my back like she would with her mother.” Rangers at the park risk their lives guarding the apes, reports the Times. More than 200 rangers have been killed at the park over the past two decades protecting the endangered animals in the ear-torn country. We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.