Chimpanzee uses photographer’s hands to drink water in a heartwarming video

Being a wildlife and conservation photographer is rewarding in so many ways. French photographer and filmmaker JC Pieri shared a video of a chimpanzee using his hands to drink water, one of the moments that shows just how magical this job can be.

I first saw the video the moment I made an X account, which is a pretty amazing coincidence. After some digging, I found the original video from JC, showing the clever chimp cleaning its hands before fiddling with the photographer’s shirt. The animal then uses JC’s hands to drink water and even cleans them afterwards.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JC Pieri (@jcpieri)

This is by far one of the most touching things I’ve ever came across..

This Chimpanzee uses a wildlife photographer’s hands to drink water and then washes them at the end as a thank you. pic.twitter.com/ZIGzCi5rzv

— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) May 27, 2024

JC took the video at Papaye International, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees, which fights against the horrors of poaching and trafficking. They provide a safe haven for these victims, where they receive care and rehabilitation with the ultimate goal of returning them to the wild in a secure area of the Douala/Edéa National Park. Papaye International stands out by offering a sanctuary that mirrors the chimps’ natural environment, allowing them to rediscover their wild instincts before reintroduction.

“It is crucial to remember that despite their playful and affectionate nature, chimpanzees are wild animals,” JC notes in his Instagram post ( as translated from French). “They are not domesticated pets and should not be treated as such. The interaction between humans and chimps at the sanctuary is solely for the purpose of their rehabilitation and eventual release.”

---