Orangutan in Tree
Sepilok, Orangutan
This orangutan was hanging in the tree and doing all kinds of acrobatic demonstrations, when it came down to us on the boardwalk (people must stay on the boardwalks at all times, and cannot go to the orangutans, but they can potentially come to you), started walking in front of us (kind of mimicking our walk), then turned around and came up and grabbed my hand. It grabbed my right hand like a handshake, then used another hand to grab the back side of my hand, and then used a foot, which is just like a hand, to grab my forearm. The other foot grabbed on to the railing. It had a very strong grip, and held on to me for several minutes. It was quite an experience - I wish I could have taken a picture of it!
©Bill Yeaton