There are countless images that speak volumes, and this poignant picture is undoubtedly one of them. Taken in a protected forest region on Borneo, the largest island in Asia, the heartwarming photo depicts a beautiful moment when an orangutan extends a helping hand to a man standing in a small pond nearby who seems to be “in trouble”.
Anil Prabhakar, an amateur photographer from Indonesia, was trekking with his friends on the safari when he saw the primate’s soul-stirring act of kindness and captured the powerful moment just in time.
Prabhakar stated that the individual depicted in the photo is a conservation forest ranger who descended into the pond to remove snakes from the water, as they pose a significant threat to orangutans in the area. It is a part of his responsibilities at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the endangered species, and which currently cares for nearly 650 orangutans with approximately 400 members.
“The ranger went down there after someone informed him that there was a snake in the river,” the photographer recounted. “He cleared the bushes, and an orangutan appeared on the banks, watching what he was doing. The primate then approached him and extended its hand.”
It appeared that the empathetic orangutan was concerned that the forest warden could be threatened by the snakes in the pond, so it took the initiative to lend a hand. Nevertheless, even though the warden was touched by the orangutan’s kindness, he declined his offer since the ape is a wild animal, and he needed to exercise caution.
“The warden just moved away,” Prabhakar continued. “I asked him later why, and he said: “It’s a wild animal, not one we are familiar with.” But they are here to protect them.”
Orangutans are originally from the rainforests of Malaysia and Indonesia. They are considered one of the most intelligent non-human primates and have exceptional skills in constructing nests that can hold their weight. Orangutans are primarily frugivores and have the ability to use basic tools to look for food.
Sadly, the orangutan population has significantly declined, and the species is now critically endangered.
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Rewritten Source: https://aubtu.biz/26681/