Forest officials suspect the orangutans were abandoned after a failed attempt to move them, as they are not native to IndiaAn investigation is underway to determine how they reached the forest.
Published: September 9, 2026, 1:00 PM IST
Share Article
https://www.india.com/news/india/odisha-5-baby-orangutans-rescued-from-balasore-forest-wildlife-smuggling-suspected-video-wildlife-crime-control-bureau-8520234/
Baby orangutans were found in a forest in Odisha’s BalasorePTI
The discovery of at least five orangutans in Odisha’s Balasore district has raised concerns over possible wildlife smugglingThe critically endangered animals, which are not indigenous to India, were rescued from Bichitrapur forest, with the state government asking the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to investigate how they reached the area.
Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the five orangutans were rescued by the forest patrolling team on Tuesday morning“These animals are not found in India and are mostly seen in rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast AsiaWe suspect that they might have been released in the Balasore district forest, which borders West Bengal, by an international wildlife smuggling racket,” the minister said.
VIDEO | Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Five baby orangutans rescued from the Balasore forest have been brought to the Nandankanan Zoological Park in BhubaneswarThe young primates arrived at the zoo earlier today and were immediately taken in by wildlife officialsGiven their tender age,… pic.twitter.com/e5VtRRaBiS
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 9, 2026
He said the price of each of these orangutans is Rs 20-Rs 25 lakh in the international marketSinghkhuntia said that these apes might have been brought to Odisha by air, water or rail routes“We have urged the WCCB to probe into the incident and asked the airport, railway stations and ports to verify their CCTV cameras as the animals might have been brought through their transportation facilities,” the minister saidThe WCCB is responsible for tackling wildlife-related crimes in the country.
Senior forest department officials are ensuring that these animals remain safeA team of veterinary doctors from Simlipal National Park has reached the place and is monitoring the health of the orangutans“After observation, the animals will be kept in Nandan Kanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar,” the minister saidBalasore DFO Pratik Praksh Indalkar told PTI that the animals are healthy and taking food.
“We are conducting a detailed inquiry into where these animals have come from and when they have reached hereHowever, at present our focus is to keep them safe and healthy,” Indalkar saidPrincipal Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) Prem Kumar Jha confirmed that the forest department will conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, a large number of people from the locality reached the forest to have a glimpse of the animals in the wild“They are cool and not harming anyone or getting irritated due to human presence,” a senior forest official saidThe authorities have urged people to maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbing the orangutansThese animals are mainly fruit-eaters but also consume leaves, bark, insects, and bird eggs.
With inputs from PTI
