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Visitors often smiled when Julius gently scratched the gorilla’s shoulders or rubbed his belly through the protected contact area designed for safe interaction.
Few people realized just how much attention the gorilla paid to every movement Julius made.
On the morning everything changed, Julius almost stayed home.
He dismissed it.
“I probably shouldn’t have eaten that spicy breakfast,” he joked to a coworker.
Being dedicated to his work, Julius decided to continue with his normal schedule.
Instead of greeting Julius with his usual playful curiosity, he sat quietly, watching him with unusual focus.
Julius unlocked the service gate, entered the protected interaction area, and knelt beside the enclosure barrier.
The gorilla leaned forward, waiting for his familiar belly rub.
“You spoiled today?” he laughed.
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