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Odisha Forest Rescue: Five Baby Orangutans Found, Smuggling Probe Launched
Confirmed
In Short: Five baby orangutans were rescued in Odisha, India, raising concerns about wildlife smuggling. Authorities are investigating whether the animals were trafficked into the country.
Orangutans, critically endangered and native to Indonesia and Malaysia, are being closely monitored. Forest officials believe the animals may have been transported by road and are now investigating the possibility of an international smuggling ring.
The Special Task Force of the Odisha police has begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the rescue. "We have sent a team to Balasore to initiate a probe," said Kanwar Vishal Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police, STF. The investigation aims to determine if the animals were trafficked into the country and abandoned near a highway.
The orangutans, which could not have reached Odisha naturally, are being quarantined and monitored. "Our focus is to stabilize them and conduct some tests," said Mirase, a forest official. Zoo officials have arranged a special diet and toys to keep the animals engaged during their quarantine period.
What's confirmed
- Orangutans, critically endangered and native to Indonesia and Malaysia, are being closely monitored. Forest officials believe the animals may have been transported by road and are now investigating the possibility of an international smuggling ring.
- The Special Task Force of the Odisha police has begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the rescue. "We have sent a team to Balasore to initiate a probe," said Kanwar Vishal Singh, Deputy Inspector General of Police, STF. The investigation aims to determine if the animals were trafficked into the country and abandoned near a highway.
- The orangutans, which could not have reached Odisha naturally, are being quarantined and monitored. "Our focus is to stabilize them and conduct some tests," said Mirase, a forest official. Zoo officials have arranged a special diet and toys to keep the animals engaged during their quarantine period.
What's still developing
- Unusual sighting in an Odisha forest: 5 baby orangutans “We have rescued 5 baby orangutans and brought them to the forest office. 4 of the 5 babies are healthy. Veterinary doctors are examining and treating them”: Balasore Divisional Forest Officer Pratik Prakash Indalkar told… pic.twitter.com/P2emXEKOGI — The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) September 8, 2026 Humans and orangutans share approximately 97 per cent of their DNA, and the animals are responding well to the care being provided by the animal keepers, the official said.
- And since orangutans are social animals, zoo officials said they appear to enjoy staying together as a group.
- Orangutans live for an average of up to 40 years in the wild, while they can reach 50 to 55 years in captivity, according to forest officials.
- Meanwhile, the Special Task Force of the Odisha police is revisiting old orangutan smuggling cases as it intensifies its probe to determine whether an organised trafficking racket is involved.
- A special diet chart has been prepared in consultation with Mysore Zoo, home to three orangutans and with valuable experience caring for the species.
- Orangutans are critically endangered species and not native to India Five baby orangutans have been found in a forest in India's eastern state of Odisha, far from their natural habitat, prompting an investigation into how they got there.
- The orangutans were rescued early on Tuesday in Balasore district after local people spotted them and alerted forest officials.
- The apes were found by locals in a forest in India's Odisha state Forest officials believe the orangutans had been in the area for only two or three days.