Baby orangutans found in India highlight illegal wildlife trade

Five baby orangutans, aged six to eight months, were discovered on a plantation in Odisha, India, in early September. The group, consisting of three males and two females, was found over 2,700 kilometers away from their native habitats in Borneo and Sumatra.

The discovery has raised concerns regarding a growing illicit trade of apes being trafficked into India to satisfy wealthy collectors. While India has wildlife laws to protect native species like tigers and elephants, experts note that gaps in controls on imported animals make it difficult to trace the origins of exotic wildlife.

Orangutans are a critically endangered species. Recent years have seen several similar incidents in India, including the seizure of Sumatran orangutans in 2022 and 2023, and the discovery of a young orangutan near Mumbai in late 2024. The five infants are currently being held at an Indian zoo.