Some stories are just too adorable not to share, and this one about a runaway chimp is definitely one of them. With Ukraine locked in conflict for months, the usual flow of visitors at the Kharkiv Zoo had slowed significantly. That might explain why Chichi, a 13-year-old chimpanzee, decided to make a break for it—perhaps in search of the attention she was used to receiving.
On September 5, Chichi managed to slip out of her enclosure and wander into the city, surely giving unsuspecting pedestrians a moment of pure confusion. After all, spotting a chimpanzee casually strolling through Freedom Square isn't exactly an everyday occurrence. According to NBC, her little adventure lasted about two hours before zoo staff finally tracked her down.
But it’s how they got her back that really makes this story feel like something straight out of a Curious George book. In a now-viral video, zookeeper Victoria Kozyreva is seen calmly sitting with Chichi, chatting with her like old friends catching up. When a light rain began to fall, Kozyreva offered Chichi a yellow raincoat, which the chimp happily accepted. Then, in the most delightfully unexpected turn, she hitched a ride back to the zoo—on a bicycle.
“It wasn’t difficult to convince her,” Kozyreva told NBC. “All that’s needed is negotiations. There was rain. I talked to her, invited her with my jacket, helped her put it on, and gave her a hug.”
Chimpanzees are highly intelligent creatures, known for solving puzzles and even learning sign language, so it’s no surprise that Chichi figured out how to escape. Kozyreva, who has known Chichi since she was young, likely had an advantage in persuading her to return.
No doubt, Chichi now has quite the tale to share with her fellow zoo residents—hopefully without inspiring any copycats. And let’s be honest, a chimp in a raincoat catching a bike ride home is exactly the kind of heartwarming moment the world needs right now.
While the war in Ukraine continues, it’s easy to forget about the animals caught in the crossfire. If you’d like to help support zoo animals in Ukraine, donations can be made through the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums. For those wanting to assist domestic animals affected by the conflict, Humane Society International offers ways to help.