One of the most remarkable species on the earth is the orangutan. As proven by their incredible intelligence and human-like traits, they are one of humanity’s closest ancestors.
They appear to be a caring animal capable of assisting a person in distress. That’s what one big ape showed after extending a “helping hand” to a stranger.
Anil Prabhakar is an Indonesian wildlife photographer. In 2019, he was moved by the predicament of orangutans, which are threatened by habitat loss and killing.
An outfit called the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation gave him a tour. He intended to learn more about the species while also taking photographs.
Another concern to orangutans is venomous snakes, and while on the safari, Prabhakar saw a warden removing the area of snakes to protect the apes.
However, when the man became stuck in the mud, Prabhakar witnessed a remarkable sight: an orangutan extending out a hand to help the man free himself.
Prabhakar made it a point to capture the breathtaking moment on film. “I observed an orangutan get really close to him and simply offer him his hand,” he told CNN..” “I had not expecting anything like that… I just snatched that opportunity. It was a really emotional experience.” “I’m very glad that occurred to me,” he continued.
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 meddle, and the orangutan’s tight grasp may have caused more harm than good.
“The warden simply walked away.” “I subsequently asked him why, and he answered, ‘It’s a wild species we’re not familiar with,’” Prabhakar told. Nonetheless, it was a poignant sight, and just what Prabhakar hoped to capture on his expedition: a shot that would motivate people to help save this endangered species. He stated, “Every photo, in my perspective, can speak for itself.” “I’m more concerned in portraying a sensation that I can identify with.”
Many people feel that orangutans are just as kind and sensitive as humans, if not more so.
“Sometimes animals are bringing us back to our roots when humanity dies in people,” the photographer captioned his Instagram snap. The BOSF’s chief executive officer, Jamartin Sihite, told The Jakarta Post, “We’re extremely glad to witness the wonderful comments people offer to this photo.”
“When we look at this photo, we can’t help but think that wild animals are friendlier to us than people are to them.”
