A World Full of Hungry Apes


“Photography has taken me to discover many unexpected territory as all time I wanted to see the sights of unseen & unforgiving incidents of reality. I was engaged in one of my personal project’s work on ‘sex workers’ for which I went to Madaripur. I have been working on ‘sex workers’ last 7 years & my works demand me to investigate their situation all over the country. Last year, in the month of August when I arrived at Madaripur it was afternoon. Shockingly I have seen thousands of apes are in street, running here & there. It was an unexpected thing of my life to see thousands of ill monkeys are moaning alone. I was traumatized, unspoken & felt awful when I understand all these thousands monkeys stand in front of me are HUNGRY. I always concern to cover stories of situation which need concentration for helping out by the assessment of the world. So I take out my camera & run to middle of them”

– Gmb Akash

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

In char Muguria area, Madaripur around 2,500 monkeys are facing severe food crisis. Due to acute food crisis many mother monkeys, passing days starved or half-starved, are even unable to breast feed their babies. Quite a few monkeys have already died in this serious situation. Concerned over the pitiable life of the monkeys, locals and visitors have urged immediate arrangement of food for the monkeys. Though the local communities are already poor to feed themselves but the heartbreaking scenarios of monkeys influence them to share their own food with them. Despite keeping distance with human the unable monkeys are taking foods from people’s hands. The hungry monkeys were competing for the inadequate foods like peanut or biscuit given by the visitors. They were also trying to eat whatever they got — grass, garbage, polythene etc. Baby monkeys are suffering badly in malnutrition. Even the water crisis made their lives more pitiful. Local community sought allocation for food for the monkeys but the higher authorities are yet to give any response in this regard.

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

“A mother monkey by carrying its dead child was passing from trees to trees. When it came in front of me & begged foods I realized the monkey did not identify its child is already dead. This pitiable situation made me terrified. These apes, whose residents are jungle, came out for food & begging to feed themselves. These climate victims are more alike my working project of  ‘Sex workers’. Human & animal all are helpless in front of starvation & need. They are survivors of dreadful situation which many of us over looked or never know”- Gmb Akash

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

© GMB Akash / http://www.gmb-akash.com

Author: GMB Akash

"I see the beauty of people and the human soul in the pictures I take. And though the circumstances of some of the people I portray may be grim, back-breaking, depraved, the people themselves are always remarkable characters and souls" For me Photography is my language, to access, to communicate, to identify and mostly to make it hear. Through photography I only jot down my heart’s language. The best part about being a photographer is that I’m able to articulate the experiences of the voiceless and to bring their identities to the forefront which gives meaning and purpose to my own life.

43 thoughts on “A World Full of Hungry Apes”

  11. Your pictures are so beautiful and your story is so terribly sad. I never knew of animal famine. It makes me sick to think humans are suffering. Now, to know that the animals are suffering too is horrible. I wish you could share this on national or global news and promote awareness.

    Like

    Reply

  16. The pics touched me; and Mr. Akash as we feel like this way, we are the best creature.

    Best regards,
    Asif
    MIS & CS, CDSP-IV

    Like

    Reply

  17. its amazing to see someone not only capture the harsh realities of people suffering but also of animals suffering. keep doing what you do.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Local people are trying much but they are also very poor.while there is hungry people as well so how can they are able put
      much for animals. Hope at least some saver could do something for this poor animals

      Like

      Reply

      1. Exactly…. So many are suffering, and they must help themselves too. It’s a heartbreaking situation. I tried to email many groups yesterday — with a link to your post, I hope you don’t mind.

        Like

  21. OH this story of the hungry monkeys was so upsetting. Afund should be made to help these monkeys. In past I have seen some animal donation sites were actually Nigerian based scams, how sad. I would like to be able to help these monkeys. I have animals I feed and I live from a pension , but if many people made some contribution small things become large and something could be done to help feed these monkeys. We can not save and stop the suffering of all animals on planet but we can make a difference if try …

    Like

    Reply

  23. Such a sad story. It must be so difficult for the local people to watch these poor creatures starving…knowing they themselves have nothing to share. What is the reason? Is it because the monkey’s environment has been lost?
    Your wonderful images show us that mothers are the same everywhere…whether human or animal…..they want to feed and protect their children…even when there seems to be no hope left.
    Thank you for taking the time to bring attention to their plight. We’re all in this together.

    Like

    Reply

Please share your opinion