The Heartwarming Kiss of a Giraffe Bidding Farewell to the Zookeeper Battling Cancer

In a touching display of affection, a giraffe bid farewell to Mario, a zoo keeper suffering from cancer, as he was wheeled into their enclosure on a hospital bed.

Mario, who had dedicated his working life to caring for these magnificent creatures at a Dutch zoo, received a final farewell from the giraffes. As he entered their enclosure, one of the giraffes leaned over the rails, giving him a farewell kiss.

This emotional moment took place at Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after a charitable organization fulfilled the 54-year-old’s last wish.

Mario, a maintenance worker who had cleaned the giraffe enclosure every day, expressed his desire to see his beloved animals one last time. The unexpected and heartwarming encounter occurred when one of the giraffes gave him a gentle nuzzle and a farewell kiss.

The Ambulance Wish Foundation, a Dutch charity, organized this special trip.

Kees Veldboer, the founder of the charity, stated, “These animals recognized him and sensed that he wasn’t doing well. It was an incredibly special moment, and you could see the joy on his face.”

After bidding farewell to the giraffes, Mario, who is also intellectually disabled, requested a moment to say goodbye to his colleagues at the zoo, where he had worked for 25 years.

Kees remarked, “We are grateful to have been able to fulfill this man’s last wish; it was a beautiful experience.”