Beautiful photograph captures moment inquisitive chimpanzee sees its reflection for first time

This adorable photograph shows the moment a fascinated chimp spots itself in the mirror for the first time.

Chimps are thought to be among the few species that recognise their reflections.

And the inquisitive young bonobo chimp seemed to relish the moment it finally got to check itself out.

The animal is just one of several, aged between a few weeks and two years old, to have been taken in by animal sanctuary Lola ya bonobo .

The orphanage, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rescued the chimps after their mother had been killed by poachers.

Left on their own, the vulnerable primates would almost certainly have died.

But these pictures by 41-year-old Cyril Ruoso show that they are now thriving thanks to the care and affection of sanctuary workers.

In one photograph a tiny chimp beams as it's given a bath in a tiny make-shift tub.

In another a youngster looks almost humanlike as it relaxes on the knee of one of the sanctuary workers.

In one a lively chimp even appears appears to entertain a young baby.

Mr Ruoso, from Burgundy, France, said playing with the chimps was like playing with children.

He said: 'Of course, in the wild, you would be an invisible spectator. You are not supposed to get involved in wild animal lives.

'But the sanctuary was a different case. These babies were playful, curious, and it was impossible to resist interacting with them.

'And it was not unlike playing with kids. After all, we are all primates, some hairier than others.'

He added: 'It takes a commitment to get access to these chimps and seeing them behave, naturally, like chimps is a treat.'

The sanctuary was set up by Belgian Claudine Andre, who had been given orphan Bonobos to care for and wanted a home for them to live in.

Soon she was taking in more youngsters whose parents had been killed and she decided to create and orphanage.

Her aim is to hand raise the animals until they are old enough to release back in to the wild.

Mr Ruoso said: 'You do not visit Lola ya bonobo like a tourist.

'This is a haven, a sanctuary for stressed and distressed creatures.

'This is a rehabilitation center as well, and the people in charge are putting an enormous dedication to their charges.

'Think more of a refugee camp than an amusement park. What you get at the end is a sense of empathy for the chimps.'