Abandoned chimp shares a hug with his rescuer

As a former laboratory chimp dumped on a remote island, you could forgive Ponso for not trusting humans.

But the 'loneliest chimp' showed his sweet nature as he shared a fond cuddle with rescuers who keep him alive.

Estelle Raballand, the director of the Chimpanzee Conservation Center, posted a picture of their connection as she dropped off food supplies for the primate.

The centre is fundraising to help meet the costs of his care and ultimately find him a better long-term home.

Ponzo was one of a number of chimps taken from Liberia to be used in lab testing by the New York Blood Centre (NYBC).

Once they had finished their work with him, the centre dumped him and 19 other chimps on a remote island off the Liberia in 1983.

The NYBC has confirmed that it initially 'voluntarily' fed and cared for its ex-lab chimps - but has now stopped doing so. It said that reports suggest all its former chimps are being fed and cared for by charity groups.

A number died from starvation and disease within a few years, and today, Ponso is the only one of the group still alive.

Ponso is dependent on regular food drops of bananas and bread which are left by his human helpers. Despite his sad history, it's clear he holds no grudges.

The centre has set up a fundraising page to help buy appropriate food for Ponso - and ultimately find him a better long-term home.