Heartbreaking video: Orphan orangutan hugs herself missing her mother’s touch

She wraps her arms around herself for comfort and throws herself repeatedly on the floor before banging her head on the wall

International Animal Rescue released a video showing a recently rescued baby orangutan Joss who was kept as a pet for almost two years by a man who admitted that bought her illegally for 25 dollars.

Wrapping her arms around herself for comfort, Joss throws herself repeatedly on the floor before banging her head on the wall.

Joss is so deeply traumatised by her past that she has developed a number of distressing coping behaviours. She is seen hugging herself all the time, since she is missing the care of her mother.

International Animal Rescue (IAR) vet, Jaclyn Eng states: “Joss hugs herself constantly because she misses the physical contact and comfort she should still be getting from her mother. Her life up until now must have been very traumatic and stressful for her to behave in this abnormal way” adding that “Animals usually develop stereotypical behaviour as a coping mechanism in response to a stressful situation. Our team has never seen such a young baby orangutan exhibiting stereotypical behaviour like this. It is extremely distressing to watch because it must reflect the mental and emotional trauma little Joss is suffering.”