The orangutan is one of the most amazing animals on the planet. They are one of humanity’s closest ancestors, as evidenced by their amazing intelligence and human-like characteristics.
They come out to be a sympathetic animal that knows how to assist a person in need. One great ape demonstrated this after extending a stranger a “helping hand.”
Anil Prabhakar is an Indonesian nature photographer. He was stirred in 2019 after learning about the plight of orangutans, who are threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
He was given a tour by an organization called the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, according to The Dodo. He planned to learn more about the species and take some photos along the way.
Venomous snakes are another threat to orangutans, and while on the safari, Prabhakar observed a warden clearing the area of snakes to protect the apes.
However, the man became stuck in the mud, and Prabhakar watched an extraordinary sight: an orangutan reaching out a hand to help the man release himself.
Prabhakar made a point of photographing the awe-inspiring scene. He told CNN, “I witnessed an orangutan come extremely near to him and just offer him his hand.” “I had not expected anything like that… I just snatched that opportunity. It was quite moving.”
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He continued, “I’m really delighted that moment happened to me.”
Despite the orangutan’s nice gesture, the man caught in the mud refused to accept rescue. According to The Dodo, it was his responsibility to act as a “lifeguard” for the animals and not to interfere with them, and the orangutan’s powerful grip could have caused more harm than good.
“The warden simply walked away. Later, when I inquired why, he answered, “It’s a wild animal, not one we’re accustomed with.” Prabhakar revealed this to Bored Panda.
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Still, it was a moving sight, and exactly what Prabhakar sought to capture during his expedition: a photograph that inspires people to rescue this endangered animal.
He told The Dodo, “My way of thinking is that every photo can speak for itself.” “I’m more interested in portraying an emotion that I can relate to.”
The photograph has gone viral, with many people agreeing that orangutans are equally as caring and sympathetic as humans – if not more so.
The photographer captioned his Instagram snap, “Once humanity disappears in mankind, sometimes animals are guiding us back to our foundations.”
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The BOSF’s chief executive officer, Jamartin Sihite, told The Jakarta Post, “We’re extremely glad to witness the wonderful responses people offer to this photo.” “When we look at this photo, we can’t help but think that wild animals are friendlier to humans than people are to them.”
What a picture! It’s a powerful reminder of how amazing and compassionate orangutans are, and why we must do everything we can to save them before it’s too late.