—In the depths of the Congo Basin, A wild bonobo in Salonga National Park was seen cradling a baby mongoose—not as prey, but with tenderness. It held the tiny creature softly, almost protectively, before letting it go unharmed.
It was a moment that stunned even scientists.

Captured by award-winning photographer Christian Ziegler, the scene is more than just a picture. It’s a quiet reminder that empathy exists far beyond humanity.

Bonobos share 98% of our DNA, but in that instant, they shared something even greater: compassion. The photo later won a grand prize at the 2023 Nature inFocus Awards—but its real gift is showing us that kindness is not only human.

So next time someone says, “It’s just an animal,” remember this. Sometimes the wild teaches us how to truly be human.