IAR releases distressing video of baby orangutan traumatised by years kept as a pet

Orphan orangutan Joss was kept as a pet for almost two years and is so deeply traumatised by her past that she has developed a number of distressing coping behaviours. IAR vet, Jaclyn Eng states: Joss life up until now must have been very traumatic and stressful for her to behave in this abnormal way. 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. When our team of expert vets try to comfort and hold Joss, she appears even more stressed, climbing away on her elbows and banging her poor head against the wall. Our team are doing all they can to ease Joss suffering; she requires constant supervision and distraction and only time will tell whether she will make a full recovery from such a terrible start in life. Plea