13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sleeping safely - orangutan in her nest, Sumatra, Indonesia

I had been working with a team rescuing orangutan from patches of forest under threat in Sumatra - a difficult task that is stressful for the orangutans and the people working to save them. Once safely captured they are quickly transported to Gunung Leuser National Park where they can live in safely in prime and protected rainforest. After a successful release we were hiking through the park and we found this orangutan in her nest, a recently rescued individual. She gave us a glance and stretched before settling down for the night - safe in her new forest home.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2013
Date Uploaded: 11.2015
Photo Location: Bukit Luwang, Indonesia
Camera: Canon EOS 7D
Copyright: © Paul Williams