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In July, I had the good fortune of traveling with friends to the jungle in the Republic of Congo to observe gorillas in the wild. We watched these intelligent and majestic animals travel through the trees, search for food, play with their young, and look for a site to build their sleeping nests. As I wiped myself off after a gorilla in the rainforest canopy dropped a piece of half-eaten fruit on my shoulder, the group’s silverback charged us while beating his chest. Because we were told not to move if a gorilla charges, I closed my eyes and said a prayer to Oprah. Of course, the silverback veered off, as they always do after a display. When I returned home in late July, I came across the now viral video of Robin Williams interacting with a gorilla in what appeared to be an office. I cringed because it was such a stark contrast to the gorillas living freely in the jungle with members of their own species. I quickly learned that Koko had been rescued from a zoo where she was born and was now living at the Gorilla Foundation in Northern California — where she was no longer an exhibit. Koko should not have been born in captivity because we shouldn’t hold wild animals captive in the first place. But at least she’s in good hands.

While watching the video, I was struck by Robin Williams’ genuine affection for Koko.  I hope this viral video, in which Robin and Koko enjoy each other’s company, doesn’t send a message to the general public that captivity is fun. For the victims, being stripped of the chance to live naturally in their own habitat with members of their own species is stressful and depressing, as it would be for us. Because Robin Williams died, this video is going to be seen by tens of thousands of people, if not more. If this video teaches people nothing about cruelty of captivity, then I hope that viewers look beyond the gorilla tickling and learn more about the conservation work of the Gorilla Foundation.