WATCH: Orangutan shows concern towards American burn survivor
The amazing exchange caught on video shows an orangutan displaying more empathy than many humans can muster
THE empathy of an orangutan has stunned internet users after his reaction towards a burn victim was recently caught on video at a zoo in the United States.
Burn survivor Darci Miller visited Indiana Zoo with her fiancé, Jason Costello.
When the couple approached the orangutan area, Rocky, one of the resident primates, came up to her and, from his side of the glass, signalled curiously at her right shoulder and arm.
In 2015 Miller suffered serious burns, and is still in the process of healing.
The video clip, which captured Rocky’s entire exchange with Miller, shows him pointing to her burn area and signalling for her to move a bit to show him more.
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He comes as close to the glass as he can and intently inspects Miller’s healing wounds, all the while gently instructing her to show him the extent of her injuries.
‘The orangutan was completely interested in my burn scars and recent surgery sights,’ said Miller.
‘I am a burn survivor from 2015. It has been up and down, but this particular day made me feel really good about myself.’
The video clip of this amazing interaction between primate and human, in which Rocky the orangutan displays a higher level of empathy than many humans, has gone viral and the story has been covered by numerous American news outlets.
Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, the critically endangered great ape is the most arboreal (tree dwelling) of the great apes, spending most of their time in tree canopies of the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.
Among the most intelligent primates, orangutans use a variety of sophisticated tools and construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from rainforest foliage.
Orangutans have been extensively studied for their learning abilities and it is thought there may be distinctive cultures within populations.
Human activities, including poaching, habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade, have caused orangutans to become critically endangered.
While humans and orangutans share similar DNA, studies have shown orangutans to have evolved far slower than humans and chimpanzees.
WATCH: Darci Miller’s boyfriend, Jason Costello, caught the entire exchange between Rocky the orangutan and Miller on video, in which Rocky displays much empathy towards the burn survivor
https://youtu.be/PhrEBhF-c4Q
Source: Shareably.com
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