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Orangutan attacks man at a zoo in shocking viral video

A video of an orangutan grabbing a man through the bars of a cage has caught the eye of 18 million people on Twitter.

@sundaykisseu / Twitter

A video of an orangutan attacking a man at a zoo is going viral on social media

The viral video emerged on Tuesday after several Twitter accounts circulated it. In the video, a man is shown approaching an orangutan enclosure with his arms out as if to grab the primate.

What seems like a cute moment between a human and ape suddenly takes a turn for the terrifying as the orangutan, named Tina, quickly grabs the t-shirt of the man and pulls him toward the enclosure.

The man can be seen panicking and yelling while trying to escape Tina's grasp.

Another person tried to assist the man but the orangutan moved its grasp from the t-shirt to the man's leg, making it difficult for him to run.

The two men tried to hit and kick the primate, seemingly in the hopes it would let go, but the orangutan held on tightly.

The video ends before the situation is resolved.

According to reports from news outlet Suarariau.id the video was filmed on Monday at the Kasang Kulim Zoo in Riau, Indonesia.

The man in the video was identified as 19-year-old Hasan Arifin who violated the zoo's rules by trespassing over the guard rail at the enclosure.

Arifin later apologized to the Kasang Kulim Zoo, saying: "I apologize to the Kasang Kulim Zoo for crossing the fence and I apologize for the viral video."

Managers at the zoo said the orangutans are usually docile but they have looked to leadership to determine what to do next.

Viewers of the viral video poked fun at the encounter.

"Me trying to hold on to last drop motivation left in me to complete my assignments before midnight," a Twitter user joked.

"I’m laughing at how the orangutan just thumps the other dude trying to help lmao," one wrote.

"This is an ad for tshirts that don’t rip, even when you are getting dragged by an orangutan," another Twitter user said.

Orangutans are five to seven times stronger than humans and can lift up to 500 pounds. While they are typically not aggressive toward humans, they can still pose a threat.

The primates are considered one of the most sophisticated and intelligent of the apes. They are currently considered critically endangered. 

Dog owners warned of heatstroke signs as UK temperatures set to rise

Temperatures are set to soar over the next few days and the forecast is warning of potential highs of 34 degrees Celsius in some areas of the UK. For pet owners, now is a crucial time to keep an eye on your much-loved animals, and knowing the signs and symptoms of heatstroke can help you keep them safe during the heatwave.

Getty Images Golden Retriever drinking water

Veterinary Physiotherapist, Tilly Wild, has issued a warning to pet owners stating overheating can be potentially fatal and it's important to protect our pets from overexposure to the heat. Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs can include excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, shaking, vomiting, tiredness and in severe cases, collapse, the Liverpool Echo reports.

In the same way we get hot during warmer weather, so do our pets. Tilly warns that heatstroke can be a serious illness for our dogs. "Heatstroke is potentially fatal if not caught quick enough," she says.

Owners need to be aware of the heat and the impact it can have on their pets as soon as temperatures exceed 19C. In the next few days temperatures are predict to be above 20C's in Northern parts of the UK, whilst most parts in central UK will reach 25C and over and the hottest weather is currently reported by the Met Office to in the South of England reaching over 30C.

Never leave your dog in the car, temperatures can quickly rise rapidly in a matter of minutes and this can lead to them being dehydrated. Animal charities such as the RSPCA and BlueCross advise that if you see a dog alone in a car on a hot day you should call 999. Here are a couple of other tips you can use to help keep your dog cool during the upcoming heatwave:

When is the best time to walk your dog

Vet Tilly advises pet owners to avoid walking their dog in the hottest part of the day. "Prevent heatstroke by avoiding walking your dog during the hottest part of the day," She said. "Also ensure they have access to shade and water when playing in the garden, and that pavements are not too hot by checking with your hand and avoid travelling in the car on hot days."

It's best to take a stroll in the early morning or evening to avoid your dog being exposed to the rising temperatures. Before you do head out for a walk, make sure to check the pavements. If it's too hot for you to touch with the back of your hand for seven seconds, it will be too hot for your dogs paws and so it's best to wait until the pavement is cooler.

Freeze treats and keep dogs in the shade

If possible it's always best to keep your dog in the shade on hot days, and make sure they have plenty of clean, fresh water. There's nothing better than having an ice lolly on a hot day and you can treat your dog to their own frozen treats too! All you need to do is simply put some of your dogs favourite treats into water in an ice cube tray and freeze.

If you haven't yet invested in a cool mat, these can also be a great cool option for your pet. Tilly suggest they're also good for older dogs to help with their joints. "Cool mats are also useful for older dogs with arthritis," she explains: "Who may find that their painful joints become warm or inflamed during the hotter months. A cool mat can help reduce inflammation and keep them comfortable."

Paddling pool warning

A paddling pool may be your go-to when your dog is overheating and they are a great way to make sure your pooch is keeping cool - but temperatures should be checked to make sure they aren't too cold. "It's important to supervise and check the water in paddling pools isn’t ice cold - cool or room temperature is ideal to prevent shock," Tilly explained. 

Reference: Nottinghamshire Live: Laura Hill & Alan Weston & Annie Roberts