Five Baby Orangutans Rescued in Odisha Spark Trafficking Probe

Authorities in India are investigating a potential international smuggling ring after five baby orangutans were discovered in a forest in the Balasore district of Odisha. Because orangutans are native only to Borneo and Sumatra, officials believe the animals were trafficked into the country from Southeast Asia. Odisha's environment minister, Ram Singh Khuntia, stated that wildlife investigators are working to establish how the rare apes reached India, noting a suspicion that an international racket may be involved. The international commercial trade of orangutans is prohibited under Cites, a global agreement governing endangered wildlife.

The five animals, consisting of three males and two females, were found by forest department officials patrolling the Jaleswar range. They have since been moved to the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar for care and a mandatory 30 day quarantine period. Zoo officials reported that four of the babies are healthy, while one was treated for a fever and is now stable. A specialized veterinary team and three keepers are monitoring the animals via CCTV and providing a strict diet of fruits, milk, and mashed vegetables developed in consultation with the Mysore Zoo.

To maintain the animals' well being, the zoo has provided toys and slings and is collaborating with the Wildlife Institute of India. The discovery comes amid broader conservation concerns. According to the World Wildlife Fund, orangutan populations in Borneo and Sumatra have declined significantly over the last century. The Tapanuli orangutan is particularly vulnerable, with fewer than 800 remaining in the wild due to threats from mining, palm oil plantations, and natural disasters.