A jaw-dropping incident at Perth Zoo on Australia’s west coast left visitors in disbelief as an orangutan took matters into its own hands when confronted by an unwelcome intruder, a possum. The startling encounter, captured on video, has since gone viral, sparking both shock and mixed reactions.
In the video footage, the orangutan is seen atop a tall metal tower within its enclosure, forcefully launching the possum into the air, causing it to vanish from sight. The incident prompted audible gasps and screams from onlookers.
“Oh, my God!,” exclaimed one person, capturing the sentiment of many who witnessed the encounter.
Following the toss, the orangutan left its enclosure to seemingly check on the possum’s fate. A Perth Zoo official provided insight into the incident, stating, “I would presume it did not survive the fall. Obviously, the loss of any living creature saddens us, but also nature playing out.”
WATCH:
This is pretty wild.
Despite the possum being considered a pest and carrying diseases, the incident has evoked sympathy from some quarters. However, opinions are divided, with some expressing a lack of sympathy for the intruding creature.
The video’s original uploader on Reddit shared additional details, revealing that the orangutan had been engaging with the possum on the ground before the critter sought refuge by climbing up the pole to enter the ape’s enclosure. Upon reaching the orangutan’s domain, the primate resorted to poking the possum with a stick.
In essence, the incident unfolded as a somewhat unconventional altercation. To add a touch of irony to the situation, the orangutan later threw the possum into another exhibit, where other orangutans were present, implying that the possum may have encountered further challenges in its final moments.
The viral video has generated mixed reactions online, with some viewers finding the incident amusing in its peculiar and brutal nature. Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable interactions that can occur when wildlife and human habitats intersect, even within the confines of a zoo enclosure.
