Het Bizarre Verhaal van BOKITO | egbert reacting

Summary

In 2007, the Netherlands witnessed the escape of a Western Lowland gorilla named Bokito from Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo, causing panic and injuring several people, including a woman named Yvonne. Born in Berlin and hand-raised by humans, Bokito was known for his human-like behaviors and interactions. His escape and subsequent attack on Yvonne, a frequent visitor who believed they shared a bond, led to heightened security measures and the term 'Bokito-proof' becoming a popular phrase. Despite the incident, Bokito remained a beloved figure at the zoo, fathering many offspring until his sudden death in 2023 due to heart failure.

Takeaways

• 📅 The script takes us back to 2007, a significant year in Dutch history with the announcement of the first iPhone and the incident with the gorilla Bokito.
• 🦍 Bokito, a Western Lowland gorilla, was born in 1996 in Berlin Zoo and was hand-raised by his keepers after being rejected by his mother.
• 🚀 In 2004, Bokito entered puberty and escaped from his enclosure in Berlin, but was quickly recaptured.
• 🔄 In 2005, as part of a breeding program, Bokito was moved to Diergaarde Blijdorp in the Netherlands.
• 🏰 The new enclosure in Blijdorp was designed with multiple safety measures including a wide moat, alarms, cameras, and an automatic arrow shooter.
• 👑 Bokito became the dominant alpha male in his group at Blijdorp and contributed to the birth of many offspring.
• 🤩 Yvonne, a 57-year-old regular visitor to Blijdorp, had a special bond with Bokito, visiting him three to four times a week.
• 💥 On May 10, 2007, during the 150th anniversary of the zoo, Bokito escaped his enclosure after growing tired of being stared at by Yvonne.
• 🆘 Bokito's escape led to panic and minor injuries among visitors, but he specifically sought out Yvonne, dragging her with him.
• 🏥 Yvonne suffered severe injuries including broken bones and approximately 100 bites from Bokito during the attack.
• 💊 After 20 minutes, Bokito released Yvonne and was eventually tranquilized by the zoo's veterinarian and returned to his enclosure.
• 🔄 Post-incident, the zoo implemented measures such as higher and stronger enclosures and introduced the 'Bokito Viewer', a special glasses device to safely observe the gorillas.
• 👨‍⚕️ Bokito continued to be a popular attraction and a leader among the gorilla group, fathering 10 offspring between 2006 and 2022.
• 💔 In November 2021, Bokito's health declined, and he passed away in 2023 due to heart failure, with a tear found in his heart.

Q & A

What significant event happened in 2007 in the Netherlands related to technology?

In 2007, the Netherlands witnessed the announcement of the very first iPhone.

What was the alternative to Facebook mentioned in the script that was popular in the Netherlands at the time?

The alternative to Facebook mentioned was 'Hives', which was a platform for sending pictures similar to Facebook but not made by 'reptiles', implying not by Facebook.

What unusual incident occurred at Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo in 2007?

An unusual incident was the escape of a Western Lowland gorilla named Bokito from his enclosure at Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo in 2007.

How did Bokito's upbringing differ from a typical gorilla's?

Bokito was raised by humans after being rejected by his mother. He was fed, bathed, and cared for by his keepers, which made him more accustomed to human interaction than the average gorilla.

Why was Bokito moved to Diergaarde Blijdorp in 2005?

Bokito was moved to Diergaarde Blijdorp as part of a breeding program between zoos.

What security measures were in place to prevent Bokito from escaping at Diergaarde Blijdorp?

The security measures included a 4-meter wide moat, alarm systems, surveillance cameras, and an automatic arrow shooter.

Who was Yvonne, and what was her relationship with Bokito?

Yvonne was a 57-year-old regular visitor to Diergaarde Blijdorp and a big fan of Bokito, visiting him three to four times a week and believing she had a special bond with him.

What happened on the 150th anniversary of Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo?

On the 150th anniversary, Bokito escaped from his enclosure and attacked several people, including Yvonne.

How did Bokito's escape affect the zoo and its visitors?

Bokito's escape caused panic among the visitors, with some sustaining minor injuries. The gorilla was eventually tranquilized and returned to his enclosure.

What measures were taken by the zoo after Bokito's escape to prevent future incidents?

The zoo implemented higher and stronger enclosures and introduced the 'Bokito Viewer', a special viewer with eyes on it to make it seem like multiple people were watching Bokito without directly making eye contact.

What was Bokito's fate after the incident, and what was the cause of his death?

Bokito remained a popular attraction at the zoo and a leader among the gorillas. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 27 due to heart failure, with a tear in his heart possibly from not being looked in the eyes for the past 10 years.