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Critically Endangered Orangutan Spotted Smoking Cigarette At Zoo In Sickening Footage

Home> News

Published 10:34 23 Jun 2022 GMT+1

Critically Endangered Orangutan Spotted Smoking Cigarette At Zoo In Sickening Footage

It appears that the male primate has done this before

Daisy Phillipson

Daisy Phillipson

A shocking video has emerged showing the moment an orangutan puffs on a cigarette in front of zoo visitors.

The footage, which was captured at the attraction in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, in Vietnam, shows the male primate as he holds the lit cigarette as a human smoker would.

He then takes two long drags before stubbing it out on some stones, causing those behind the camera to burst out laughing.

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It appears that the orangutan is an expert at the habit, as he even checks the butt to ensure it is properly out before throwing it away.

However, a spokesperson for the Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens claims that the orangutan had not been given a cigarette by staff and instead had found it after it was thrown in by a guest.

"People often throw things into the animals' cages and the orangutan learns how to use these objects by seeing how people use them," they said.

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According to their statement, the security guards do not have the time to keep a constant check on what's happening, but once the footage had gone viral they checked to make sure there were no more cigarettes in the primate's cage and other enclosures in the facility.

A local newspaper later reported many examples of people throwing rubbish in the animal cages despite notices warning them not to do so.

The orangutan was seen puffing on the cigarette as a human would.
CEN

Numerous people have criticised the incident online, with one writing: "Poor thing locked up and copying human traits. I don't find funny just sad at what we do to these obviously intelligent animals."

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Another said: "I guess someone showed the orangutan how to smoke. I’ve seen it done before. Appalling. I guess it makes the humans feel more powerful, that they’ve addicted this being to a harmful substance."

"A visitor to the HCMC zoo caught on video last Friday a male Borneo orangutan expertly smoking a cigarette and stubbing it out on the ground. WTF," added a third.

Orangutans are critically endangered, the main reason being the destruction and degradation of the tropical rain forest in Borneo and Sumatra.

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According to the Orangutan Foundation, another factor has been the the illegal animal trade, causing populations in the wild to decrease significantly in recent years and leading to concerns that the species may become extinct.

If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]

Featured Image Credit: CEN

Topics: Animals, Animal Cruelty

Daisy Phillipson
Daisy Phillipson

Daisy graduated from Kingston University with a degree in Magazine Journalism, writing a thesis on the move from print to digital publishing. Continuing this theme, she has written for a range of online publications including Digital Spy and Little White Lies, with a particular passion for TV and film. Contact her on [email protected]

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@DaisyWebb77

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