Baby orangutan suffering 'psychological trauma' climbs tree for the first time

KETAPANG, Indonesia, March 3 (UPI) -- A baby orangutan that suffered "severe psychological trauma" from being kept as a pet is recovering at an Indonesia rescue center and is learning to climb trees.

International Animal Rescue said Joss, a baby orangutan recently brought to the group's Orangutan Rescue Center in Ketapang, initially displayed "a number of heartbreaking abnormal behaviors" as a result of "severe psychological trauma" she suffered while being kept as a pet.

"We are so pleased to say that Joss has started to make an amazing recovery thanks to your donations and our wonderful team of dedicated vets," the rescue group said.

The group posted a video to YouTube that shows Joss when she first arrived at the center and then goes on to show how the young primate's behavior has improved. The video shows Joss climbing a tree for the first time.

"Although Joss is still in quarantine, she has been taken out a few times to start learning how to climb – and she seems to be a natural! She is still quite shy and does get frightened when meeting new keepers, but the improvement in her behavior is truly amazing," IAR said.