This is the heartwarming moment an orangutan tries to assist a man stood in a river by offering its outstretched arm.

This is the heartwarming moment an orangutan tries to assist a

man stood in a river by offering its outstretched arm. 

The great ape, who lives in a protected conservation forest area in Borneo, was seen leaning forward and lending a helping hand to the man who had been in the muddy river searching for snakes.

The striking images were taken by amateur photographer Anil Prabhakar, fromIndonesia, who had been on a safari with his friends when he spotted the touching scene.

Mr Prabhakar later found that the man worked for the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation- a non-profit organisation aimed at protected the endangered species.

The worker had been clearing away snakes in an effort to guard the orangutans when he was interrupted by the inquisitive ape.

However the amateur photographer revealed the man refused the orangutan's hand after he put away the camera - as it was a wild animal.

Mr Prabhakar said: 'Someone told him there was a snake in the river. The warden went there and cleared the bushes.

'An orangutan came to the banks and was watching what he was doing. He then came closer and gave his hand.

'The warden just moved away. I asked him why later and he said: ''It's a wild animal, not one we are familiar with''.

'But they are to protect them.'

The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation is an Indonesian non-profit organisation founded in 1991. 

The foundation, which has 400 members of staff, is currently taking care of almost 650 orangutans.  

Daily Mail