Orangutan tries to hunt with a spear

Evolution in action?

This is some fascinating news that sparks all kinds of questions.  According to a new book, Thinkers Of The Jungle, by Gerd Schuster, Willie Smits and Jay Ullal, the below image shows an orangutan in the process of attempting to spear a fish.  If this is in fact what the ape is doing, then it is a first.  No other orangutan has ever been seen using a tool to hunt.

Image from Dailymail

The image was captured in Borneo on the island of Kaja, where apes are rehabilitated into the wild after being rescued from zoos, private homes where they were being kept as pets, and even from the butcher shop.

Unfortunately, the ape was unable to master the skill of fishing, but not for lack of trying.  Later, he was able to use his makeshift spear to catch fish that were already trapped in fishing nets.

Some speculation has risen from the picture as to the importance of the event.  Many claim that it seems a bit convenient that the orangutan was able to find such a perfect spear on his own.  Others say that perhaps this is simply a learned reaction after watching humans, and that perhaps he was mimicking, rather than actually trying to catch a fish.

The other side of the argument is that perhaps this is the greatest evidence for the theory of evolution, and that we have actually been privy to a breakthrough of monumental significance.

What do you think?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Enter your email address:




Delivered by FeedBurner