Orangutan meets burn victim at zoo and his reaction to her scars has captivated the internet
Orangutans are very smart primates that are able to express a range of emotions. Happiness, sadness, joy, and more.
Their curiosity about things can lead to interesting interactions with humans. It isn’t rare to hear stories about humans and orangutans connecting in ways that some might never imagine.
One woman visiting a zoo experienced first-hand what those kinds of interactions are like. She is one of the few lucky people who have an amazing story to share about a uniquely interesting interaction with an orangutan.
The best part is that it was captured on video, of course. While she can relive the experience all over again anytime she wants, we get to share in the special moment, even at a distance.
Darci Miller was visiting the Indianapolis Zoo in 2017 when she met a 12-year-old orangutan named Rocky. She was visiting with her husband, Jose Costello.
Miller was a burn victim and was taking some much needed time to take care of herself. In 2015, she sustained severe burns to her chest and arms from gas fumes as she performed yard work. The burns were so bad, she was placed in a coma for nine days.
After the accident, Miller was dealing with a lot of trauma and sought out ways to help deal with it all.
She and her husband were in Indianapolis seeking treatment at a burn center as she had been trying to regain mobility in her upper body.
That’s when they decided that a visit to the zoo wouldn’t be such a bad idea. It would be a great way to take their minds off of things and to have some fun.
Miller and Costello went to the zoo while she was still covered in bandages. When they entered the orangutan exhibit, things would take an interesting turn.
While there, she captured the attention of one of the orangutans. That orangutan was Rocky who immediately showed interest in Miller’s bandages.
“He left the group he was with interacting with and came over to a secluded window,” she told CBS News. “We went over to that window and he immediately wanted to see everything I had going on.”
Believe it or not, their interaction lasted 20 minutes. Costello began to film their interaction.
Some of Miller’s burns are still slightly visible behind the bandages. It was this that caught Rocky’s attention. He spent his time prodding and studying her burns through the glass.
It’s fascinating watching Rocky lean in and move around in an attempt to get the best possible view.
Eventually, Miller pulled back her bandages, exposing her burns to him. It wasn’t long before their interaction drew a crowd.
After she spent a good chunk of time with Rocky, she and Costello left to see other parts of the zoo. However, before heading home, they stopped back to the orangutan exhibit to see their favorite orangutan.
He came right up to her when she approached the glass.
The keepers at the zoo commented on the astonishing interaction as well.
“Our orangutans eagerly interact and communicate with people they know well, such as their caregivers,” the zoo said in a statement. “Rocky is a bit different. He regularly interacts with people he may not know. The exchange in the video is a great example of this.”
Fortunately, the trip to the zoo did exactly what it was supposed to do. Miller says she left feeling good about herself. Great job, Rocky!
You can watch the video below!
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