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Photographer Captures Adorable Moment A Gorilla Hugs Her Keeper

Photographer Captures Adorable Moment A Gorilla Hugs Her Keeper

“I love capturing touching moments such as these.”

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Apes and humans share a large amount of genetic material, and we're only about 1.6 percent different from gorillas when you compare our nuclear DNA.

But while we might look different, these photos show that we do have similar emotional reactions.

Matabishi the gorilla was photographed walking up to her glum-looking keeper and sitting with him. Not only did the mammal hold his hand, she also hugged him to cheer him up.

Gorilla interacting with caretaker
Gorilla interacting with caretaker

Credit: Caters

Nelis Wolmarans captured the touching moment at the Senkwekwe Mountain Gorilla Orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa.

He said: "The four mountain gorillas who are cared for at the centre have constant human company and develop very strong bonds with their carers.

"The deep emotional bond is heart-warming to see and the gorillas both draw comfort from and give comfort to their caretakers."

Gorilla hugging human caretaker
Gorilla hugging human caretaker

Credit: Caters

He says that it's clear that the gorilla and carer trust each other. He added: "You can see they are a constant source of comfort to each other, and there to support each other with friendship and unconditional love when they need it.

"I love capturing touching moments such as these."

But gorillas aren't the only species who exhibit human emotions. A photographer captured the moment a female monkey held her fallen child in her arms. The monkey wails in anguish as her baby lay motionless and limp.

Devastated monkey
Devastated monkey

Credit: Caters

It was taken in Jabalphur, India by 31-year-old Avinash Lodhi.

Avinash said: "This picture is very close to my heart because throughout my entire photography career I have never seen anything like this.

"It was so quick I didn't even know what was happening when I took the picture but as soon as I confirmed the image I was silent for an hour.

"This moment is rare, especially with animals."

Astonishingly, the baby monkey eventually got a second wind and made a full recovery.

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: Gorilla, monkey