Hero truck driver jumps into zoo enclosure to save drowning chimpanzee
Zookeepers stood by as a panicked chimp struggled to survive — until one brave visitor took action
When a chimpanzee named Jo-Jo fell into a moat at the Detroit Zoo and began to drown, no one moved — except for a truck driver named Rick Swope, who risked his life to save him.
It was a regular day at the Detroit Zoo when visitors witnessed something shocking. Jo-Jo, an 18-year-old chimpanzee, had fallen into the water in his enclosure after being chased by a more aggressive chimp. Chimps can’t swim, and Jo-Jo was quickly drowning. He struggled to keep his head above the surface, and panic filled his eyes.
About ten people were watching. But no one from the zoo stepped in to help.
That’s when 33-year-old Rick Swope, who was visiting with his wife and three kids, made a decision that most people wouldn’t dare to make. He jumped over the barrier, ran toward the enclosure, and dove into the water to save the chimp.
Risky and life-saving rescue
Rick knew the dangers. Chimpanzees are incredibly strong — up to five times stronger than humans. He was entering an area where other chimps could attack. But none of that stopped him.
At first, Rick struggled. The water was muddy, and he couldn’t see where Jo-Jo had gone. When he finally found the chimp, Jo-Jo was weak and slipping under the surface. Rick tried to pull him out but lost his grip once. On the second attempt, he managed to drag the 200-pound chimpanzee to dry land.
Jo-Jo was in bad shape but still alive.
“He was looking at me. I think he knew what was going on,” Rick later told the Chicago Tribune.
Why didn’t the zookeepers help?
One question many people asked afterward was: Why didn’t the zoo staff help Jo-Jo?
Zookeepers are trained to avoid entering enclosures with chimps because of the danger. They usually wait for tranquilizers or other safety measures. But that delay could have cost Jo-Jo his life. For Rick, waiting wasn’t an option.
His quick thinking and courage saved Jo-Jo — and the moment was caught on video, which immediately went viral, touching the hearts of animal lovers around the world.
More than three decades later, Rick Swope’s heroic act still raises important questions about how we treat animals in captivity. While zoos aim to protect and educate, this story reminds us that wild animals like chimpanzees don’t belong behind glass and fences. In the wild, Jo-Jo wouldn’t have been trapped in a moat, or dependent on a stranger for survival.
It also shows how compassion doesn’t stop at species. In a moment of crisis, Rick saw not just an animal — but a life worth saving.
Rick Swope didn’t think of himself as a hero. But to Jo-Jo — and to everyone who witnessed his bravery — he became one. His story reminds us that courage can come from ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And sometimes, the strongest act of kindness is simply refusing to look away.
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