A caring gibbon was spotted grooming a deer as they shared a special moment together.

Footage shows the primate gently running its fingers through its friend's fur to look for fleas at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo in northeast Thailand.

The ape stood next to the deer while carefully parting the fur, focused on searching for pests.

The deer remained calm and still, seemingly enjoying being cleaned by its unlikely companion on January 27.

Zoo visitor Tananan Ruannark, who went to the nature park for some animal photography, said: 'They were so close, like best friends. It was the first time I have seen such friendship.'

Grooming is common for primates to build relationships, and some monkeys extend this behaviour to deer. This has also been observed among macaques living close to deer, such as in Nara Park, Japan.

The pileated gibbon is a species native to Southeast Asia, particularly found in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. It is a small, tree-dwelling primate known for its agility and loud, haunting calls that echo through the forests.