Animals
Orangutan 'stoically waits' for tourists in award-winning photograph 'See No Evil'
A heartbreaking photograph highlights the exploitation of a captive orangutan as it waits for a photo shoot with tourists after a show at a Bangkok zoo.
The image, titled "See No Evil," was taken by photographer Aaron Gekoski and is the winner of the 2024 Environmental Photography Award comPetition, which is run by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Orangutans at Safari World Bangkok take part in daily shows, where they dance in bikinis, ride bicycles and fight one another, Gekoski said in a statement emailed to Live Science. "After the shows, they stoically wait for tourists to take photos with them," he said.
Gekoski said his winning image highlights abuses within the wildlife tourism industry. "Young orangutans are captured in the wild and their mothers are killed," he said. "They are trained using cruel methods, including physical violence and starvation. When they become too old, they are locked up in cages for the rest of their lives."
Related: Bornean clouded leopard family filmed in wild for 1st time ever
There are three orangutan species living today: Bornean (Pongo pygmaeus), Sumatran (Pongo abelii) and Tapanuli (Pongo tapanuliensis). All are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. They face multiple threats, including deforestation, poaching and the illegal pet trade. Which species is in Gekoski's image is unknown.
—Polar bear sleeping on tiny iceberg drifting in Arctic sea captured in heartbreaking photo
—Wolf spider mama wearing crown of babies captured in stunning photo
—Eerie photograph captures whales hunted off Greenland lying in their watery grave
Gekoski's image was chosen from more than 11,000 entries from 2,600 photographers.
-
Animals1w ago
Aпcieпt Discoveries of Skeletoпs aпd Alieп Statυes Igпite Theories of Forgotteп Civilizatioпs.
-
Animals1w ago
Breakiпg News: Researchers Reveal the Real Secrets of the Bermυda Triaпgle
-
Animals1w ago
At 17, Brad Pitt’s daυghter FINALLY coпfirmed what he thoυght for a loпg time: Diddy PUSHED mє dowп aпd forced mє to…
-
Animals1w ago
Aпcieпt Astroпaυt Discovery: 2,400-Year-Old Fiпd That May Chaпge Oυr Uпderstaпdiпg of Hυmaп History.
-
Animals1w ago
Eloп Mυsk Uпveils 700mph Hyperloop: Faster Thaп a Boeiпg 747 aпd Revolυtioпiziпg Travel
-
Animals2w ago
Shockiпg: The Mysterioυs Joυrпey of Flight MH370 After 10 Years
-
Animals2w ago
Sυrvivor of the Bermυda Triaпgle: A Pilot Reveals the Mysteries He Witпessed.
-
Animals2w ago
History’s Darkest Hoυr: The Chilliпg Dowпfall of a Giaпt Tribe at the Haпds of Aпcieпt Hυmaпs.