Five Baby Orangutans Discovered in Odisha; Trafficking Investigation Launched

Five baby orangutans, estimated to be between one and two years old, were found on Tuesday in the Ranakatha Protected Reserved Forest in coastal Odisha's Balasore. The animals were discovered around 6 a.m. during routine patrolling by the state forest and wildlife department. Because orangutans are native to Indonesian and Malaysian rainforests and are not found in India, the discovery has prompted an investigation into potential wildlife trafficking.

Odisha forest minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia and principal chief conservator of forests Prem Kumar Jha stated that an international wildlife trafficking network or mafia may be involved in smuggling the critically endangered apes. Officials noted that orangutans are often smuggled for private collections, tourism entertainment, or the high end exotic pet trade, where a single animal could fetch approximately 25 lakh rupees.

A team from Nandankanan Zoological Park will transport the animals to Bhubaneswar, where they will be placed in quarantine before further decisions regarding their care are made. The wildlife wing of the forest department and an assistant chief conservator of forests are leading the probe into how the animals arrived in Odisha.