In 2020, a remarkable moment was captured at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation reserve in Indonesia. 
The man standing in the muddy water wasn’t trapped or asking for help. He was a conservation worker clearing snakes from a river area used by rescued orangutans. 
As he worked, a female orangutan named Anih approached the riverbank and stretched out her long arm toward him. 
Photographer Anil Prabhakar captured the unforgettable scene, and the image quickly spread around the world because it appeared as though the orangutan was trying to help a human. 
But what Anih was actually thinking is impossible to know. Researchers caution against assuming human emotions or intentions from a single animal behavior. 
Orangutans are highly intelligent great apes, capable of problem-solving, using tools, planning, and complex social behaviors. Still, interpreting one moment with certainty can be difficult.
The worker reportedly declined Anih’s offered hand and continued with his work. Staff also generally avoid unnecessary physical contact with orangutans to help keep them wild and reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Whatever Anih intended, the photograph captured a beautiful and unforgettable moment between humans and wildlife. 
