Incredible Friendship: How Otters Were Adopted to Monkeys Dying of Loneliness and What Happened to Them

We are accustomed to the fact that most animals are often friends and get along well only with members of their own species. However, even if a cat gets along well with, for example, a dog, we are not really surprised by this state of affairs.

But the friendship, which will be described in our story today, will really surprise you. Surely you could not imagine that such different animals can not just get along, but also become a real savior for each other.

The zoo, which is located 60 km from Brussels (Belgium), is home to a small family of orangutans, namely: 24-year-old male Oujian, his 15-year-old wife Sari and their 4-year-old son Bernay.

All three are considered superstars in the zoo. Before the world pandemic, a huge number of visitors gathered around the enclosure every day. The monkeys were very flattered by this attention – in response they flirted with the guests and were not ashamed to show themselves in all their glory. In short, these monkeys lived and did not know sorrow.

But at one point their whole life was abruptly changed. Because of the pandemic, the zoo authorities closed it to visitors, and the family of monkeys instantly lost their greatest joy – communion with people. They lost their appetite, and the playful mood was replaced by anxiety and aggression.

The monkeys were very upset, and the staff knew that these animals needed human interaction, but they never imagined that they needed it that much.

Matthew, the zoo keeper, knew that if this continued, the monkeys would die of boredom. The zoo workers had originally decided to entertain the orang-utans, but they realized that what they saw before them were not visitors at all. If it helped, it helped very little.

And then the caretaker had an interesting idea. The man ordered an artificial river to be built on the trio’s property. And the river was to start from the cage that was home to the main bandits and tricksters of the zoo – otters.

These little animals did not let anyone get bored here. They immediately went to explore the canal and soon found themselves in the territory of the monkeys. Bernay was the first to greet the guests; the little fellow had never seen anything like that before. He held out his paw and one of the otters came closer, after which the animals began to sniff. When both realized there was no danger, they immediately started a fun game.

Ujjan and Sari were at first frightened for their son and rushed to his aid, but they soon realized that the otters were not dangerous at all. The orangutans not only let their baby play with their new pals, but they themselves wanted to get to know the animals better. Surprisingly, they allowed the otters to run right over their shoulders, backs, and even heads!

The monkeys’ moods quickly changed for the better. Now they spend almost all their time together with the otters, playing catch-up or hide-and-seek. So, the otters hide under tree trunks, and Bernay runs around the aviary to find them.

It all looks like a game of ordinary small children. The zoo workers call such communication incredible, and photographers barely have time to take pictures. All the shots turn out to be just adorable! The zoo even has a special booth for these photos. Keeper Matthew and the other staff members are still rejoicing at the success of the artificial canal in the cages.

Even though the zoo is now open to visitors, the monkeys haven’t stopped befriending the otters-the little critters are almost always in orangutan territory. These animals are completely different in lifestyle, but nothing prevents them from enjoying each other’s company. And humans, of course, have something to learn from them.

Look around you when you find yourself in a difficult situation – perhaps someone who looks nothing like you will support you in that moment, too.