Master Putters.... ©
I took this and a series of pictures during a visit to Malaysia. These guys were part of a stage show, demonstrating their skills at putting. Their trainer told me they’d also shown their prowess on a nearby golf course and they were ready to take on all challengers.
Enough said. I took up the challenge and the following day we headed to the championship course. Hey, they were good. Too good. Over three holes (orang-utans do get bored) I was hammered. Mind you, they did cheat, kicking my ball into the bushes and knocking it into a pond, but on the putting green they were true professionals. Two winning holes to the apes, one to me. Boo.
I should point out that these orang-utans were rescued by the owner from a circus and had already been trained to perform before he acquired them. My inquiries revealed there was little hope of rehabilitating them back to the wild and they were best left to enjoy the life they were currently living. They loved mixing with people, they were happy, under no stress and, I was reliably informed, should be left to live out their old age with humans.
As for those other unfortunate animals that are losing their habitat and are killed or harmed in clashes with humans taking over their environment for profit – look at the palm oil industry which is destroying their forests – I’m right behind the fight to keep their natural homes. More on this in the new year.
(More pictures in the photo gallery and through Rex Features of London)
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