Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police’s Special Task Force (STF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) have launched a joint investigation into the origin and suspected movement of five juvenile orangutans rescued from the Jaleswar forest range in Baleshwar district on Tuesday, with authorities probing whether the rare animals were brought into the state through an international route.
The five orangutans, believed to be around one year old, were rescued in the presence of forest officials and subsequently brought to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar at around 10 pm on Tuesday for treatment, medical examination and quarantine.
Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia on Wednesday said the animals were being kept under close observation and provided with necessary treatment at Nandankanan.
“Yesterday, five juvenile orangutans were rescued from the Jaleswar Range in Baleshwar district in the presence of forest officials. As the animals are around one year old, they were kept under quarantine and given medical check-ups and proper care. At around 10 pm, they were brought to Nandankanan Zoological Park,” Khuntia said while speaking to the media.
The minister said the animals would remain in quarantine under the close supervision of forest officials and that their health would be closely monitored.
“We are seeking approval from the national authorities concerned. After receiving the necessary approval, they will continue to stay at Nandankanan Zoological Park,” he said.
The origin of the orangutans has emerged as a key focus of the investigation, as the species is not native to Odisha.
Khuntia said the Odisha STF and WCCB had jointly launched a probe to ascertain where the animals came from and how they reached Baleshwar.
“As orangutans are a rare species and are not found in Odisha, we suspect that they may have been brought from outside the country. The authorities are examining possible routes and contacts linked to the movement of the animals,” the minister said.
Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from airports and railway stations as part of efforts to trace the movement of the animals. Suspicious movements and other possible routes are also being examined.
As part of the investigation, a three-member STF team visited the spot in Baleshwar from where the orangutans were rescued.
The team questioned local residents and gathered information about various aspects of the incident.
Meanwhile, the five juvenile orangutans will remain under quarantine and medical supervision at Nandankanan while the authorities await the necessary approvals from the national agencies concerned.
Officials are keeping a close watch on the animals’ health and welfare as the investigation into their origin and possible illegal movement continues.
