Orangutans discovered in India spark wildlife trafficking investigation

Five infant orangutans, a critically endangered species native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, were discovered in the Balasore district of Odisha, India. The animals, consisting of three males and two females aged between six months and one year, were found in a forest area near a highway.

Indonesia's Forestry Ministry has requested that India determine the origin of the primates and return them if they are confirmed to have been taken from their natural habitats. The Odisha government has tasked the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau with investigating the incident, suspecting the animals may have been released by an international wildlife smuggling ring.

The rescued infants are currently in quarantine at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. Recent health reports indicate the group is stable, with normal appetites and activity levels. While some infants previously suffered from fever and varying degrees of anaemia, medical teams from several institutions, including the Wildlife Institute of India, are providing specialized care, including dietary supplements and round-the-clock monitoring.