Earlier this week, fishing guide Eder Rocha was leading a group along the Sixaola River, along the border between Costa Rica and Panama, when he spotted something odd in the water — and then took on an unplanned new passenger.
“We were heading back to shore when, in the middle of the river, I suddenly saw a little head. It was struggling against the current,” Eder told The Dodo.
Moving in for a closer look, Eder realized that it was a howler monkey, clearly exhausted in his attempt to cross the water.
“He was quite tired. He didn’t know whether to keep swimming toward the shore or to turn back,” Eder said. “I told the crew that we were going to help the poor monkey because he was already about to drown.”
Using an oar as a lifeline, Eder and his crew made the most memorable "catch" of the day:
The monkey, sapped and weary, kept his distance from the others on the boat. But through the uniqueness of the moment for all involved, Eder could sense his gratitude.
“He opened his mouth and made that growl that they do, but when he looked at me, it felt like a fist bump,” Eder said. “It was like he was saying, ‘What a cool thing that this guy came to save my life, because I was already on my last breath.’”
Though howler monkeys are known to cross waterways when necessary, they are far better adapted to move through the treetops. The monkey Eder rescued, thankfully, lived to do so another day.
“It feels really nice to see that you’ve done a good deed,” Eder said. “A good act in saving the life of an animal ... well, it feels so, so awesome.”
