Title: Rare Photo of Monkey Riding Deer’s Back Goes Viral in Wildlife Photography Contest Preview
In a surprising and captivating image released by the U.K. Natural History Museum as a preview of its highly anticipated Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, a rare sighting of a monkey riding on a deer’s back has taken the internet by storm. The photograph, titled “Forest Rodeo,” was captured by talented photographer Atsuyuki Ohshima in a Japanese forest.
Atsuyuki’s keen eye managed to capture a special moment of interaction between a sika stag deer and a Yakushima macaque. The photo reveals the astonishing sight of the macaque and deer leaping off a tree and onto the deer’s back.
Though male macaques have been observed clinging to female deer and attempting to mate with them, this particular macaque, depicted in the viral photograph, was a young female simply enjoying a free ride.
The Natural History Museum showcased Atsuyuki’s photo alongside several other highly commended images from the competition’s categories. Impressively, the museum received nearly 50,000 photo submissions from 95 countries, out of which they selected 100 photographs to exhibit starting on Oct. 13. The winners of the contest are set to be announced on Oct. 10, generating considerable anticipation within the wildlife photography community.
The Yakushima macaques, native to the island of Yakushima situated off the southern coast of Japan, enjoy an estimated population of 12,000. The island is also home to a significant number of deer, known as Yakushima deer or “Yakushika” in Japanese. These deer have developed a remarkable tolerance towards humans and often roam freely without fleeing unless approached within 15 feet.
With an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 deer inhabiting the island, culling is periodically carried out to maintain a balanced population. While there are numerous photographs showcasing interactions between deer and monkeys on the island’s tourism website, Atsuyuki’s photograph has undeniably emerged as one with museum-worthy appeal.
Remarkably, similar instances of monkeys attempting to mate with deer have been documented in the past, both in film and through research observations. Additionally, researchers have noticed the monkeys engaging in playful rides on the deer and even grooming them.
The viral release of this remarkable image highlights the intriguing dynamics of wildlife and the extraordinary moments that can be captured through the lens. As wildlife photography enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, excitement builds for the opportunity to witness more captivating images that showcase the beauty and diversity of our natural world.
