k i s s

The current status of the Sumatran orangutan in the wild is rated as critically

endangered. The main reason for this is due to natural habitats being

destroyed in order to create palm oil plantations.

There are many food products made of palm oil misrepresented as vegetable

oil. Currently, the Melbourne zoo is running a campaign called "don't palm us

off" design to create consumer awareness of food products whereby

manufacturers accurately label their products to ensure consumers make

informed decisions about the products they are buying.

Please read the labels and make informed decisions about the products you

are buying

It is a beautiful picture of these two animals, taken at a precious moment.

It is a shame that they are endangered by commercial interests.

They really are looking human.It is not only the kiss but their hands on each other.

Beautiful light and composition,and sad,very sad, preface of yours. I hope it will help them.

I went to Medan and then 3 hours north toward Aceh (sp?) in 2008 to a former WWF reserve that had been wiped out by a flood and abandoned by WWF. A bright young guy who had been the top local working for WWF took me into the jungle and I saw a couple of these magnificent creature. But I didn't know how to deal with jungle light so my photos are less memorable than this one. The young guide shimmied up a palm tree to escape the flood and watched his grandfather die below. After WWF decided not to rebuild the rehab center, he and his wife were forced to move closer to Medan and work on palm plantation. He only can back to his village at the former reserve when a Medan tour operator contracted with him to show the odd tourist (me) around. This photo will be a tribute to these guys in the not too distant future when none are left in the wild. 

Great capture! Lovely and beautiful

http://s05.flagcounter.com/count/ZWq/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=4/maxflags=12/viewers=0/labels=0/ http://2.s05.flagcounter.com/count/ZWq/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=4/maxflags=12/viewers=0/labels=0/

A very touching moment! Great composition, light and treatment and thanks very much for spreading this message!

Sincerely,

Peter

nice!

Another top image ! Top marks from me.

Ben

Thank you all very much.

Your thoughts and ratings are appreciated. 

Over the last couple of years I've come to know these animals and become more aware of their wild cousins plight. We may very well be seeing the extinction of wild Sumatran orangutans in out lifetime if we don't change our attitude towards them 

Excellent

great shot..

Just a stunning portrait.

Thanks also for the context.

thank you all