If these two amigos are any indication, best friends come in all shapes, sizes, and presumably species. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, popularly known as the Ubud Monkey Forest, is located in the center of Bali, Indonesia.
The sanctuary is home to 1,049 Balinese Long-Tailed Monkeys in their natural habitat. Balinese Long-Tailed Monkeys are also known as crab-eating macaques. They are clever, active monkeys who have long drawn visitors to the refuge. They live in social groupings and have strong familial relationships.
Because of their social groups, it is not uncommon for them to assist in the raising of children who are not their own. Each month, around 10,000 people visit the Sacred Monkey Forest to see these charming monkeys. One such visitor was able to take these photographs of a monkey and a kitten’s remarkable friendship.
Anne Young photographed a spotted ginger cat being stroked carefully by a monkey who looked to adopt the kitty as her own. The monkey cradles the kitten as if it were her own child, and the cat seemed to adore it.
As any good mother would, the monkey carries her kitten companion about the sanctuary and supports her small kitty bottom. She guards the kitten against other monkeys that get too close.
The photos of her holding her cat are lovely and clearly demonstrate the primate and feline’s intimate connection. Obviously, the two are intertwined. Nobody knows how the two met or how the kitten ended up at the rescue, but it’s evident the monkey is overjoyed to have a new buddy.
