Bhubaneswar, Sep 8: The recovery of five young orangutans from Rankotha forest in Baleshwar has raised serious concerns over a possible international wildlife trafficking network operating across borders. Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said the rare animals may have been smuggled into India and could be linked to an organised international trafficking syndicate.
Describing the recovery as a fortunate development for Odisha, Khuntia pointed out that orangutans are not native to India. The rescued animals are estimated to be between one and two years old. Orangutans are primarily found in regions including Indonesia, Sumatra and Malaysia.
The Minister said the circumstances under which the animals reached Odisha have raised strong suspicions of illegal trafficking. The estimated market value of an orangutan is around Rs 25 lakh, making the species a potential target for wildlife smugglers.
Khuntia said the exact source and route of the suspected trafficking would be established only after a detailed investigation. Authorities are examining whether the animals were being transported to West Bengal or another destination before being recovered in Baleshwar.
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) will investigate the suspected trafficking angle, while the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) is personally monitoring the case.
The Minister said orangutans are generally peaceful animals and do not pose a threat to humans. Their close evolutionary relationship with humans also makes the rescued animals important for research and study.
Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to accommodate the five orangutans at Nandankanan Zoological Park. The zoo is also expected to receive animals from Japan under an exchange programme, officials said.
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