Firm friends: Six-year-old Emily Bland and Rishi the Orangutan pose for one last picture together at his home in South Carolina Some childhood playmates turn out to be friends for life. For others, there comes a time when they simply outgrow each other.
For most of their six years on the planet, Emily Bland and Rishi the orangutan have been an unlikely double act – enjoying picnics, games and the occasional rough and tumble.
But now, they are being forced to, well, grow apart, because Rishi’s keepers think he will soon be too big and powerful to play with his human friend.
Going ape: Playful Rishi srays water at a giggling Emily as the two of them cool off in his pool
Emily, from St Albans in Hertfordshire has visited her friend in South Carolina several times since they were introduced in 2008At 4st 9lb, the orangutan is already able to pick up a fully-grown human, and his weight is expected to double within 18 months.
Back in 2008 when they met, the pair were barely two years old and Emily was much bigger than Rishi.
They were introduced at an animal reserve in the US when Emily’s photographer father, Barry, took his daughter along on an assignment.
Partners in crime: Emily and Rishi play together as two-year-olds back in 2008
Stick by me: The chums pictured together again aged four in 2010
You drive me bananas: Emily gives Rishi a hand with his favourite snack
Growing lad: At 4st 9lb, the orangutan is already able to pick up a fully-grown human, and his weight is expected to double within 18 monthsRishi and Emily stunned everyone with their instant rapport, and since then Mr Bland, 42, has taken his daughter on several trips to visit her friend.
This time, the pair were reunited for one last picnic at Rishi’s home in South Carolina and played for hours in the sunshine.
Emily, from St Albans in Hertfordshire, made sure Rishi had his lunchtime banana before they splashed about in a fountain.
Monkey business: Emily giggles as her Orangutan chum larks around with a cup
Catching up: Back in 2008 when they met, the pair were barely two years old and Emily was much bigger than Rishi
Fond farewell: The pair were reunited for one last picnic at Rishi's home in South Carolina and played for hours in the sunshine
Cheers: Emily, from St Albans in Hertfordshire, made sure Rishi had something to drink before they splashed about in a fountain
The pair were introduced at an animal reserve in the US when Emily's photographer father, Barry, took his daughter along on an assignmentsource: dailymail
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