Bhubaneswar: The mysterious discovery of five young orangutans in a casuarina forest in Baleshwar district has sparked a major investigation with local residents pointing to the presence of a black SUV in the area the night before the animals were found.
Forest officials rescued the infant orangutans on Tuesday from the Bichitrapur casuarina forest near Badapai village, which falls under the Talsari marine police station. The species is not native to Odisha, making their sudden appearance highly unusual and raising serious concerns about possible wildlife trafficking.
According to reports, the villagers of the region had seen a black SUV moving through the locality late on Monday night. CCTV cameras captured the vehicle entering the area at approximately 11:25 pm and leaving around 11:40 pm. Investigators are now examining the footage to identify the vehicle and establish its connection, if any, to the orangutans.
The development has fuelled suspicion among locals, who have questioned how the exotic animals reached the forest and who may have left them there.
Some residents have even alleged that certain forest department staff might have prior knowledge of the incident and have demanded a high-level probe to uncover the truth.
Odisha’s Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia confirmed that a detailed investigation has been ordered to determine the origin of the animals and to check whether an international smuggling racket is involved. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has also been informed and is expected to join the probe.
It is pertinent to mention that the five orangutans were shifted to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar following their rescue.
