Millionaire environmentalist introduced his wife to his monkey family (14 photos)

16 years ago, millionaire philanthropist and ardent conservationist Damian Aspinall raised a gorilla named Ima in his own game reserve in Kent and released it into the wild in Gabon, Africa. Now, many years later, Aspinall and his young wife Victoria have come to Gabon to introduce her to the monkeys who, a decade and a half ago, were as close to him as his own family. How did the meeting go?

An adult gorilla named Ima weighs about 120 kilograms and can kill a person with one punch. But millionaire Damian Aspinall's wife Victoria lies trustingly on Ima's lap. And this, in general, is not surprising: after all, they are almost relatives! Sixteen years ago, Victoria's husband, millionaire and active conservationist Damian Aspinall, picked up and nursed a baby gorilla, which became virtually his own. When the cub grew up, Aspinall sent him into the wild in Africa. Now Ima's home is here, in the jungle of Gabon.

Aspinall and his wife had to travel many hours to reach Ima's current residence. Part of the journey had to be taken by boat along the crocodile-infested Mpassa River. And to track down the gorillas, they used a drone - an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Aspinall, 57, and his wife Victoria, 30, married last year. The millionaire started a trip to Africa specifically to introduce Victoria to Ima and his cousin Jalta.

When Damian and Victoria found themselves in the monkeys' domain, Damian began calling out to Irma with loud, guttural cries. To everyone's surprise, Irma recognized the voice of his savior and went out to the people. He hugged Damian and then turned his attention to Diana.

“I was very nervous,” says Victoria. “But I trusted Damian’s experience with these animals, and he was nearby, and that calmed me down.”

Irma showed all possible friendliness towards Victoria. He sniffed her neck, searched her hair, and then put his arm around her shoulders protectively, as if taking her under his protection.

Victoria, realizing that she was in no danger, completely relaxed in the company of the huge gorilla.

“These animals are happy and free,” says Victoria. “Looking at them, I was fascinated. I hope, after looking at them, many will believe, as we believe, that the place of wild animals is not behind bars, but in freedom.”

Gradually, Victoria felt so comfortable that she relaxed and lay down on the gorilla’s lap. “It was an extraordinary experience and one I will never forget,” she says.

The new friends felt just great.

We were on his territory and under his protection,” says Victoria. “And once I got over the initial fear, I felt quite comfortable.”

Irma really liked Victoria's baseball cap, and he decided to try it on.

Later, Victoria helped Irma put her cap on correctly.

Over the past 25 years, the number of African mountain gorillas has decreased by 60%. The foundation, set up by Damian Aspinall, works to conserve and enhance the species by raising gorillas in captivity and releasing them into the wild.