A visitor to US zoo, captured moment when a 15 stone ape mounted a delicate rescue of the young bird, tenderly lifting it from the water using a leaf.
The curious ape was in its enclosure, when it noticed the bird's struggle in the pond.
It yanked a leaf from a nearby bush and extended its arm out to the bird, beckoning to the chick in the hope that it will latch onto the leaf.
Onlookers cheered as orangutan managed to get the bird to grip the leaf for a split second only to have the bird drop again.
In a last-ditch attempt to rescue the chick, the orangutan gently waved the leaf in front of the bird which managed to latch on to it.
The ape plucked the bird from the water to the delight of the crowd. During the clip, one woman can be heard exclaiming: "Oh my God look, that is unbelievable, he's got him."
The massive ape carried the chick back to the main part of its enclosure, where it tenderly placed it down on the grass and proceeded to gently stroke the bird.
Cathy Smith, from the Orangutan Foundation, said: "They are very intelligent animals and can be very inquisitive.
"This shows how chilled out and good at problem solving these amazing creatures are.
"It's hard to say whether he knew he would be saving the chick but you never know. I have never heard of anything like this before."( Source)
The curious ape was in its enclosure, when it noticed the bird's struggle in the pond.
It yanked a leaf from a nearby bush and extended its arm out to the bird, beckoning to the chick in the hope that it will latch onto the leaf.
Onlookers cheered as orangutan managed to get the bird to grip the leaf for a split second only to have the bird drop again.
In a last-ditch attempt to rescue the chick, the orangutan gently waved the leaf in front of the bird which managed to latch on to it.
The ape plucked the bird from the water to the delight of the crowd. During the clip, one woman can be heard exclaiming: "Oh my God look, that is unbelievable, he's got him."
The massive ape carried the chick back to the main part of its enclosure, where it tenderly placed it down on the grass and proceeded to gently stroke the bird.
Cathy Smith, from the Orangutan Foundation, said: "They are very intelligent animals and can be very inquisitive.
"This shows how chilled out and good at problem solving these amazing creatures are.
"It's hard to say whether he knew he would be saving the chick but you never know. I have never heard of anything like this before."( Source)
♥so very beautiful♥
How is the bird/duckling doing now? Any updates?
The Holy Spirit works in all beings!
Humanity (?) at it's finest. We can learn much from animals.
I'm truly amazed how we humans can witness an action by another animal, and without any experience in animal behavior can come up with a conclusion of what the animal is doing by interpreting his actions. No one, repeat, no one can say with any degree of certainty what the intention of the Orangutan was during this entire episode. We, as benevolant humans, like to think he was intentionally saving the duckling from drowning. But think of it. A duck . . .water . . .floating . . .drowning . . .come on. When was the last time you heard of a duck drowning? I propose . .NEVER.
I think these Animals have way more Compassion then Humans... I think that was very Sweet of the Orangutan to save the baby duck..Sometimes I think that when someone dies they come back and put themselves into the bodies of Animals...
The question is not on whether the duckling is drowning or not. The question is on an orangutan intention of saving the duckling, an animal saving another animal. It can just grasp the duckling with its palm and squeezed it. The action of the animal is much better than that of our so called today's human beings who have no qualms over killing other animals and worst another human beings.
@Jimmy, baby ducks can drown easily, shows how much you know about water fowl. Young ducklings can drown from pure tiredness. Looking at the water source there, you can clearly see it would not be able to escape the water without difficulty. We humans would be ridiculously foolish to think the intentions of the ape were not to save the duck. We are not the only animals capable of compassion. The ape had the opportunity to pick the duck out of the water with its hand but instead chose a leaf, possibly believing he could crush the baby duck if he picked it out with his hands. The fact he did not eat it, smash it, or otherwise damage it, is proof that he intended to keep it from harm. Humans are not that far removed from the apes, it is entirely possible and extremely probable that they understand they are saving something from injury or death.
I agree with u 100% Aquilus =D It show's the intelligence and compassion and the real concern 4 the duckling =D