When Citron was just a baby, the forest was all he knew. The rustle of trees, the warmth of his mother’s arms, the gentle rhythm of life in the wild. Then, in an instant, it was all torn away.

Poachers stormed through his world, killing his parents and capturing him to be sold into the illegal wildlife trade — just another orphan in a system fueled by greed.

But fate had other plans.

Citron was rescued before he could vanish into that darkness. He was taken in by Papaye International, a sanctuary in Cameroon dedicated to saving orphaned chimpanzees and giving them a second chance at life.

“When Citron arrived, he was injured, scared, and deeply sad,” shared Marylin Pons Riffet, president of Papaye International. “His story is like so many of our 34 chimps — taken too young, with trauma in their eyes.”

But Citron didn’t stay broken.

At the heart of his healing was a man named Fabrice “Fiston” Moudoungue — the sanctuary’s longest-serving caregiver. With quiet patience, Fiston tended to Citron’s wounds, physical and emotional. He fed him, played with him, sat with him in the hard moments. And slowly, Citron began to trust.

He began to feel safe again.

“He adores Fiston,” Riffet said. “Because Fiston didn’t just care for him — he respected him. He loved him. He allowed Citron to rediscover what dignity and peace could feel like.”

Now, Citron lives with other rescued chimps on an island sanctuary — free to roam, explore, and build a new life surrounded by his kind. But even freedom hasn’t erased his bond with the man who first showed him love.

Every so often, Fiston visits the island to bring food. For most chimps, it’s a welcome delivery.

But for Citron, it’s something more.

In a recent visit captured on video, Citron rushes toward Fiston — not for bananas or treats — but for a hug. He wraps his arms around him, pressing close, smiling the kind of smile that needs no explanation.

“Citron’s smile isn’t one of submission,” Riffet said. “It’s real joy. Genuine recognition. He’s hugging his friend — the one who saved him.”

And that hug says everything.

Because when chimps lose their mothers young, their chances of survival plummet. They lose more than protection — they lose connection. And what Fiston gave Citron wasn’t just food and shelter.

He gave him family.

“Chimpanzees share 98% of their DNA with us,” Riffet added. “And when you watch that moment — the joy, the memory, the empathy — it’s clear: these aren’t just animals. They are beings with depth, with emotion, with love to give.”

Citron never forgot what was taken from him.

But more importantly, he never forgot who helped him start again.