4 hrs ago
Five Orangutans Rescued in Odisha, Sparking Wildlife Smuggling Probe
Five orangutans were found and rescued in a forest in Odisha, India.
Orangutans do not normally live in India.
They usually live in rainforests in parts of Southeast Asia.
Officials think someone may have brought the animals there illegally, but this has not been proven.
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau will investigate.
Authorities are checking whether the orangutans may have arrived by plane, train, boat, or another route.
Veterinarians are watching their health, and the animals are eating normally.
They are expected to be moved to a zoo in Bhubaneswar.
People have been asked to keep their distance and not disturb them.
Forest officials rescued five orangutans from Bichitrapur forest in Balasore district on Tuesday morning.
Officials said orangutans are not indigenous to India and are generally found in Southeast Asian rainforests.
Odisha authorities asked the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to investigate how the animals reached the forest.
The state suspects an international wildlife-smuggling racket may have transported or released the orangutans.
Veterinarians are monitoring the healthy animals, which are expected to move to Nandankanan Zoological Park.
- Who
- Five orangutans, Odisha forest officials, veterinarians, and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
- What
- The orangutans were rescued, while authorities began investigating how they reached Odisha.
- Where
- Bichitrapur forest in Bhograi block, Balasore district, Odisha, near the West Bengal border.
- When
- The animals were rescued on Tuesday morning.
- Why
- Officials suspect possible wildlife smuggling because orangutans are not indigenous to India and have high international-market value.
Smuggling Suspected
Origin Not Yet Established
How the orangutans reached Odisha
Smuggling Suspected
Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia suspects an international wildlife-smuggling racket may have brought or released the orangutans in Balasore.
Origin Not Yet Established
Forest officials have not confirmed the animals' origin, arrival date, or transport route and are conducting a detailed inquiry.
Key facts
- Animals rescued
- Five orangutans
- Rescue location
- Bichitrapur forest, Balasore district, Odisha
- Investigator requested
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
- Reported market value
- Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per orangutan
- Current condition
- Officials said the animals are healthy and eating
- Planned destination
- Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar
- Typical habitat
- Rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, and Sumatra
Quotes
Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia
Odisha Forest and Environment Minister
“These animals are not found in India and are mostly seen in rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. We suspect that they might have been released in the Balasore district forest which borders West Bengal by an international wildlife smuggling racket”
telegraphindia.com
“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”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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