Amy

Soft Ground Etching Plate Size: 8.5cm x 13cm

... teenage years ...

This is a study of a young Orangutang in her teen years at `Monkey World` in Dorset. She had been rescued and was being re-introduced to Orangutang life.

Now that she was growing up, they had been looking for a suitable mate. The only snag was, Amy had been hand reared, so she had a tendency to prefer the company of humans.

She had already rejected several young fellows, so they were hoping that the latest - Banji - would take her fancy.

Over the day I spent there, I was able to watch this courtship unfold. It was fascinating. Banji did everything a nice young man would to woo his intended. He was gentle, coercive, romantic and playful by turns.

Eventually, it was the rough and tumble play fights which seemed to be what caught her attention!

I understand they became 'an item' until his untimely death ... and that Amy is now a grandmother.