Orangutan Mum's Incredible Rescue Effort

Ever since the behavior and habits of Orangutans has been documented, scientists have known that these apes hate water and cannot swim. However, as this Orangutan mum demonstrated - Nothing is impossible!

The entire event, caught on camera by the staff at the Malaysian World Wildlife Association (WWF), took place in the island of Borneo, known for its amazing wildlife.

Recent record rains have left a lot of the low-lying areas in the Lower Segama region under floodwaters. About a week ago, the WWF officials noticed an Orangutan with a baby clinging to her chest, hanging helplessly off a Laran tree in the midst of the flooded area.

Not knowing how else to help, they decided to throw a rope bridge to the Orangutan in the faint hope that she would catch it and they could then try reel her and her baby in. But even if she did catch the rope, they weren't sure it would help, for it is a well-documented fact that Orangutans who spend 90% of their lives hanging on trees, hate the water, and therefore cannot swim. They even scamper off when it rains!

However, desperate times call for desperate measures and incredible bravery! To their utmost surprise, the mother caught the rope, put the baby on her back and climbed down from the tree. Then, taking utmost care to ensure that the baby's face always remained above the water, she dog paddled to the shore.

Once there, the hungry mum and baby fed on fruit and vegetables for almost thirty minutes before scrambling back to the safety of the jungle. While scientists still don't know if Orangutans can swim, they know never to underestimate the courage of a mother trying to save her baby's life!

Sources; WWF, Dailymail.co.uk