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New documentary offers a rare look at the Secret Life of Orangutans

Other | Sunday 19th August 2018 | David

National Geographic have released a stunning new video on their YouTube channel called A Rare Look at the Secret Life of Orangutans. Created by photographer Tim Laman, researcher Cheryl Knott, and explorer Robert Suro, the seventeen minute film offers a rare glimpse of orangutans in their native home in the lowland rainforests of Borneo, an area which which has been significantly reduced over the last several years.

Orangutans are unquestionably some of the most intelligent animals in the world, and yet you still might be surprised to learn that they actually have the knowledge to create makeshift umbrellas out of leaves to protect themselves from the rain, as we see in the film. It appears that despite studying them for decades, we still have a long way to go before we can fully understand these magnificent animals.

Although it was uploaded to their YouTube channel, the video was not actually created by National Geographic. Instead, it forms part of their Short Film Showcase, in which they present videos created by filmmakers who affirm their belief in the power of "power of science, exploration, and storytelling to change the world." To learn more about this endeavour, visit National Geographic's website, and visit the site of the Gunung Palung Orangutan Project to learn more about conservation efforts.