This adorable orphaned chimp uses a BASKETBALL as a security blanket

An adorable chimp who lost her entire family has found comfort in the unlikeliest of ways.

Paula, who was feeling vulnerable after she was snatched from her parents, now uses a basketball as a security blanket.

The chimp was being carted around in a zipped up rucksack to be sold as a pet but she was thankfully rescued by Ape Action Africa (AAA).

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And what was initially meant to be something to simply occupy her turned out to be a whole lot more important.

AAA spokesperson Elissa O’Sullivan explained to The Dodo: “Although they spent time with her, there were periods where she was alone so they gave her some branches and the ball to prevent her from being bored.

“The trauma that she went through in losing her family then being kept by villagers to sell meant that the ball became much more to her than a toy.

“It was her constant in a time of terrible confusion.”

Paula was eventually taken to the group’s Mefou Sanctuary in Cameroon – with her ball not leaving her side for an instant.

However, once she realised she was safe and in good company with three new chimp pals, Paula learned to let the ball go.

Elissa added: “It’s a mark of how far she’s come that ball is completely forgotten now.”

Top pic: Ape Action Africa