Bhubaneswar, Sep 11: The discovery of five baby orangutans deep inside a forest in Odisha has triggered an international investigation, with Indonesia seeking their repatriation and authorities probing a suspected cross-border wildlife trafficking network.
The five orangutans, aged between one and one-and-a-half years, were spotted by forest personnel on September 8 during routine patrolling in the Jaleswar range of Balasore district. Their presence in Odisha, far from their natural habitat in Southeast Asia, has raised serious questions about how the endangered animals reached the region.
The rescued primates were subsequently shifted to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, where they have been placed in quarantine and are being kept under veterinary observation.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry said a preliminary assessment indicated that the animals could be Sumatran orangutans, an endangered species native to Indonesia. However, their exact species and geographical origin will be established through DNA analysis.
Forestry Ministry spokesperson Ristianto Pribadi confirmed on Friday that Jakarta has initiated communication with India regarding the repatriation of the animals. He said the ministry was communicating with the Indian government through the Indian Embassy in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Odisha forest officials have launched an investigation to determine how the orangutans reached the Jaleswar forest. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of an international wildlife trafficking connection.
The Special Task Force (STF) wildlife wing of Odisha Police has also registered a case following the direction of DGP Vinaytosh Mishra and intensified efforts to trace the source and intended destination of the animals.
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