Bhubaneswar: The health condition of five juvenile orangutans rescued from Baleshwar’s Bichitrapur forest and housed at Nandankanan Zoological Park remains stable, with all the infants eating normally and showing improved activity levels, zoo authorities said on Monday.
The orangutans have been kept in a specially equipped quarantine enclosure at the zoo since September 8. A five-member technical committee constituted by the state government is monitoring their health, while a dedicated team of veterinarians and trained staff is maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of their food intake, activities and overall condition.
According to the prescribed diet schedule, the infants are being fed milk, apple and banana juice and boiled potatoes at two-hour intervals. Soft toys, swings and music have also been arranged in their rooms to help reduce stress following their rescue, transportation and change of environment.
“One of the orangutans had developed a mild fever but its condition has since stabilised following treatment,” informed Nandankanan Zoological Park Deputy Director Pradeep Mirase. Experts believe the fever could have been triggered by the change in surroundings and travel-related fatigue.
Mirase said the infants would continue to remain under close medical observation in the coming days.
