Poor Little Gollum by Ashley Vincent
Yesterday I was up at the animal hospital at Khao Kheow Open Zoo again for a second session with the three Lion cub sisters, one of whom you may have already seen in my portfolio, the one entitled “Roaring Practice”, though now these precious cubs are two-weeks old. Naturally there's at least one or two of those photos I plan on sharing with you, however, I wanted to post this one up first. Gollum is a 10-month old White-Handed Gibbon (AKA Lar Gibbon) also born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Although physically Gollum has recovered well, he currently stays on at the hospital in the personal care of Khun Mon (another of the zoo's wonderful handlers), as he had quite a traumatic experience and it will probably take a while yet before he is reintroduced to the zoo proper. Sadly, Gollum's mother didn't take to him well, and for reasons no one can know for sure, she ended up biting off three fingers and a thumb from his right hand. Due to the ever-vigilant staff at Khao Kheow, fortunately Gollum was rescued and immediately transferred to the hospital, quite likely an act that saved his young life. Having a daughter I have to say, I'm much more fond of little girls, but Gollum simply stole my heart; he's the most adorable little boy I've ever met! It must have taken at least five minutes to coax him out of his enclosure, but once he sensed I wasn't a threat out he came and was soon bold enough to physically inspect the end of my lens and even held me by the finger with his left hand as if to say “Hi! You seem OK, so pleased to meet you!” We spent about 40 minutes watching each other, Gollum seldom still for more than a second or two, and me, of course, flat on the ground all the while smiling like an idiot and trying to capture at least a few decent shots that would hopefully convey something of the absolutely delightful character that is young Gollum, my new friend I'm very proud to say :^) More to follow, wishing you all a wonderful weekend meantime!
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