On social media lately, some striking photographs of an orangutan extending a helping hand to a forest warden standing in a river went viral. While on a safari in a Borneo conservation forest region, amateur photographer Anil Prabhaka captured the spectacular incident!
According to reports, the forest warden was removing snakes from the waterways. Snakes, as is well known, pose a significant hazard to great apes. But, believing the guy had fallen into the snake-infested waters, the wild animal chose to assist him in a heartfelt show of charity.
Prabhakar explained, “Someone informed him there was a snake in the river.” “The warden walked over there and cut the bushes down.” An orangutan approached the banks and observed what he was doing. He then drew nearer and extended his hand.” The forest warden is employed by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of this critically endangered species.
The warden ultimately declined the huge ape’s hand, according to the Indonesian photographer. Despite the fact that his job is to safeguard wild animals, the guy claimed it would not have been prudent to handle an unfamiliar wild animal. The photographer explained, “The warden just stepped aside.” “I subsequently inquired as to why, and he replied, ‘It’s a wild animal, not one we are familiar with.’ They are, nevertheless, there to safeguard them.”
Bornean orangutans have lost more than half of their native habitat in the previous four decades. The primary cause for this is logging operations. Fortunately, non-profit groups such as the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation are working hard to rescue these ecosystems and the critically endangered Borneo Orangutan.