In the heart of the Rostov Zoo, a gentle giant lived a life marked by love, loss, and an unexpected maternal instinct that transcended species.

Her name was Metta, affectionately called Motya by the zookeepers who had cared for her for decades. She was a female gorilla of the lowland tribe, a species known for their intelligence, social bonds, and emotional depth.

Metta’s story began as the partner of Bolla, a magnificent male gorilla. Their bond, a quiet testament to the innate instincts of her kind, seemed destined to bring the continuity of life. But life had other plans.

Bolla, despite his strength and presence, was often ill as a youngster. And fate, unrelenting, struck when he was claimed by a sudden, inexplicable illness that left the zoo staff grieving and Metta bereft.

She became a widow, yet the world around her could not see the depths of her loss. Zookeepers noticed the profound sadness in her eyes, her withdrawn demeanor, and the quiet longing that lingered in her movements.

Later, other males came to the Rostov Zoo to join Metta’s enclosure: Terkhak and Kimbo, both from distant German zoos. But they arrived when she was already mature and accustomed to her environment. The males, though strong and healthy, struggled to adapt to the new home. They longed for their familiar surroundings, and their reluctance interfered with forming bonds with Metta.

The gorilla, sensing their detachment, grew anxious and distant. She did not allow them near, and the males, trapped between instincts and foreign surroundings, could not bridge the emotional gap. Their relationships faltered, and, tragically, both males lived only a short time after their arrival.

Metta, then, became a three-time widow — a silent matriarch whose maternal instincts had no outlet. Yet in her heart, love persisted, waiting for a chance to express itself.

It was at this crossroads of grief and longing that the zookeepers observed something extraordinary: Metta began turning her maternal attention toward an unexpected subject — cats.

The staff quickly realized that this new outlet might save her emotionally. They brought kittens into her enclosure, carefully observing how she interacted with the tiny creatures.

Metta’s response was nothing short of astonishing. She held the kittens gently in the curve of her massive arms, her care meticulous and almost obsessive. She groomed them, fed them by gently placing food in their mouths, checked for fleas, and tucked them in for naps.

The kittens, initially terrified, gradually accepted her care. Some fled as they grew bolder, and when they did, Metta would whimper, pacing her enclosure, clearly yearning to bring them back or welcome new arrivals.

She became a devoted, almost human-like mother. Her attention to the kittens was total. If a mother cat gave birth in the enclosure, Metta would cradle the litter on her back, carrying them gently, and ensure they were returned to their biological mother for feeding.

It was a performance of empathy, patience, and love that defied species boundaries. Her behavior reflected not just instinct but a conscious, emotional choice to care for beings smaller and more vulnerable than herself.

For the staff, witnessing Metta’s attachment was both beautiful and humbling. It demonstrated the capacity of gorillas to experience emotions as profoundly as humans do. They saw in her actions patience, nurturing, and a willingness to forgive life’s losses by creating a new form of family.

Over time, one special companion, a cat named Anthracite, became her constant. The feline and Metta shared four years together, developing a bond that transcended the ordinary. Anthracite accepted her care fully, and in return, provided Metta with companionship and a sense of continuity.

Metta’s care for the cats was detailed and precise. She watched them eat, ensured their safety, and often interacted with them as a teacher and protector. Her dedication never wavered, and her enthusiasm for nurturing never diminished.

The gorilla’s devotion provided comfort not only to the animals but to the zoo staff. It was a reminder of the profound impact of emotional support on animal welfare, especially for those who had experienced loss or trauma.

As years passed, Metta aged gracefully. Her love for the cats remained steadfast. The zoo watched as she lived her final decades with purpose and affection, investing in creatures she saw as her own children.

She lived to the venerable age of forty-five — a long life by gorilla standards. When she passed, she left behind a legacy not of offspring but of love, care, and the demonstration of cross-species empathy that inspired all who observed her.

The story of Metta challenges conventional views of animal behavior. It highlights that grief, love, and nurturing are not uniquely human traits. They can manifest in unexpected ways, reaching across the species divide and creating connections that redefine family.

Her relationship with Anthracite exemplifies the complexity of gorilla intelligence. Metta could recognize individual needs, respond to the emotions of others, and act in ways that mirrored human caregiving. She taught the world that love can be expressed in forms that are both subtle and profound.

The zoo’s staff often reflected on the lessons Metta offered. Her patience, persistence, and emotional awareness served as a model for animal care and understanding. They realized that empathy, when combined with attentive observation, could foster remarkable behaviors and bonds.

Visitors to the Rostov Zoo were captivated by the story. It became a symbol of hope, resilience, and the extraordinary depth of gorilla emotion. People marveled at how an animal traditionally perceived as wild and untamed could exhibit such tenderness and care.

Metta’s life also offered a perspective on loss and adaptation. Despite repeated bereavements, she found a way to channel her maternal instincts positively, demonstrating the capacity for resilience in the face of grief.

The zookeepers observed that her engagement with the cats provided her with purpose, structure, and emotional stimulation. It reminded them that social and emotional needs are as crucial for animals as they are for humans.

In her twilight years, Metta continued to interact with kittens brought into the zoo. Even as her strength waned, she remained attentive, nurturing, and patient. Her hands, once capable of immense physical power, became instruments of care and tenderness.

Metta’s story reached beyond the walls of the zoo. Animal behaviorists, enthusiasts, and the general public were inspired by the accounts of a gorilla demonstrating profound maternal love for another species. It sparked discussions about cross-species empathy, the intelligence of primates, and the capacity for emotional healing through connection.

This narrative also underscores the importance of enriching environments for captive animals. Metta’s engagement with cats provided her mental stimulation and satisfaction that could not be achieved by food or physical exercise alone.

Her story continues to be shared globally, reminding people of the ethical responsibility to recognize, nurture, and protect emotional well-being in animals. Metta’s life was not just a testament to gorilla behavior but to the enduring power of love.

The bond she shared with the cats was not incidental — it was deliberate, conscious, and transformative. It showed that even in a confined environment, animals can experience profound fulfillment through caregiving, empathy, and connection.

When Metta passed away, the world mourned her in a unique way. It was not just a gorilla that had died but a guardian of kindness, a teacher of empathy, and a living example of the extraordinary emotional capacity of primates.

Anthracite, her devoted feline companion, lived on as a reminder of the bond they shared. Visitors who came to the zoo after Metta’s passing would see the traces of her love, the echoes of care that she had instilled in the creatures around her.

Metta’s story resonates with universal themes: loss, love, nurturing, and the unexpected ways life expresses itself across species. It encourages people to look beyond appearances and recognize intelligence, sensitivity, and emotional depth wherever it may exist.

For the staff at the Rostov Zoo, her memory serves as a guiding light. They continue to bring new kittens into the gorilla enclosures, hoping to provide similar comfort and engagement for other primates in need.

In a world where human and animal lives intersect daily, Metta’s life is a reminder that love can flourish in any form, that compassion is not limited by species, and that caregiving can be a powerful response to grief.

Her forty-five years on this Earth were spent teaching us to observe, to care, and to value the emotional lives of those who cannot speak our language but communicate their needs through actions, gestures, and heart.

Metta may have been a gorilla, and the kittens mere cats, but together, they embodied something far greater — a universal story of love, loss, and the enduring power of empathy.

Even today, the story of Metta and her cats is retold in classrooms, conservation forums, and online communities. Children learn about her as a model of kindness, compassion, and cross-species understanding.

Her legacy is one of care, a testament to the truth that love does not recognize boundaries, whether they be species, size, or circumstance.

Metta’s life teaches that even in captivity, the heart can find expression. The bonds we form, whether with our own kind or with those vastly different from us, shape experiences, transform sadness into purpose, and provide meaning beyond what we could imagine.

The tale of Metta is a timeless story, reminding us that every life matters, that emotional depth exists in all creatures, and that empathy, when extended beyond our own species, can create miracles of connection, care, and enduring affection.