Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Black SUV Key Lead in Odisha Orangutan Smuggling Probe
Five very young orangutans were found in a forest in Odisha.
Orangutans normally live in Southeast Asia, not India.
Officials think the animals may have been brought into the country illegally, but this has not been proved.
A black SUV was seen near a hotel in Digha and later near the forest where the orangutans were found.
Investigators are checking whether it is the same vehicle.
They are also asking who was inside and whether the vehicle stopped along the way.
Hotel workers and other people have been questioned.
No one has been arrested yet because officials say they need solid evidence.
The orangutans are in quarantine and are reported to be in normal health overall.
Odisha’s Special Task Force is investigating how five baby orangutans reached a coastal forest in Balasore district.
A black SUV was recorded near a Digha hotel at 10:56 p.m. and near Bichitrapur at about 11:35 p.m.
Investigators are examining whether the SUV transported the orangutans and who may have been travelling in it.
The STF has questioned hoteliers, searched for an untraceable hotel owner and his son, and identified six possible suspects, but no arrests have been made.
The STF and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau are reviewing CCTV, mobile tower data and possible routes, including a suspected path through Digha.
- Who
- The Odisha Police Special Task Force and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau are investigating; five baby orangutans were rescued.
- What
- Authorities are investigating suspected smuggling of the orangutans and the possible role of a black SUV.
- When
- The animals were found on Monday night and rescued Tuesday morning, according to one report; another report identifies the discovery date as September 8. The SUV was recorded at about 10:56 p.m. and 11:35 p.m.
- Where
- The orangutans were found in a casuarina forest at Bichitrapur village in Bhograi, Balasore district, Odisha; the SUV was seen near Digha in West Bengal and near Bichitrapur.
- Why
- Orangutans are native to Southeast Asia and are not native to India, prompting an investigation into how they reached Odisha.
Evidence-Based Caution
Suspected Smuggling Network
Black SUV’s role
Evidence-Based Caution
Officials have not established that the SUV transported the orangutans and are treating its possible connection as only one line of investigation.
Suspected Smuggling Network
Investigators are examining the SUV because it was seen near Digha and later near Bichitrapur, suggesting it may have been part of the animals’ route.
Potential route and suspects
Evidence-Based Caution
The STF says it must proceed cautiously and avoid arrests based on rumours or unverified information until evidence is complete.
Suspected Smuggling Network
Sources cited by the report say the animals may have crossed the India-Myanmar border with handlers, travelled through Digha, and involved a network of up to six people.
- Animals found
- Five baby orangutans—three females and two males—believed to be less than one year old
- Discovery site
- A casuarina forest at Bichitrapur village in Bhograi, Balasore district, Odisha
- SUV sightings
- Around 10:56 p.m. near a Digha hotel and around 11:35 p.m. near Bichitrapur
- Agencies investigating
- Odisha Police Special Task Force and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
- Investigation activity
- More than 100 CCTV cameras, mobile tower data, local intelligence and possible transport routes are being examined
- Arrest status
- No arrests had been made at the time of the reports
- Animal condition
- The orangutans were in normal health overall, with one recovering from recurring fever; all remained under quarantine
