1 day ago
Five Rescued Baby Orangutans Face 90-Day Quarantine at Odisha Zoo
Five baby orangutans were found in a forest in Odisha and taken to a zoo.
They will stay apart from other animals for 90 days.
This helps protect them and other animals from diseases.
Officials do not know where the babies came from or what illnesses they might have.
Only their caregivers and doctors can enter the area where they are staying.
Zoo staff say the babies are eating and gaining weight, although three were found to be anaemic.
Officials are still investigating how the orangutans got to Odisha.
People will not be able to see them until authorities make a decision.
Five infant orangutans rescued in Balasore district on September 8 will remain in quarantine at Nandankanan Zoological Park for 90 days.
The Central Zoo Authority recommended the extended quarantine because the orangutans’ origin and health history are unknown.
Only caregivers and doctors may enter the quarantine facility; the animals may use nearby open enclosures during the day to acclimatise.
Three of the five orangutans were found to be anaemic, while zoo officials report improving weight, appetite and activity among the infants.
Investigations into how the orangutans reached Odisha are ongoing, and no decision has been made about DNA testing or public viewing.
- Who
- Five infant orangutans rescued from a forest in Balasore district.
- What
- They will remain in quarantine for 90 days at Nandankanan Zoological Park.
- Where
- Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha, India.
- When
- They were rescued on September 8; the quarantine period is 90 days.
- Why
- Their origin and health history are unknown, and quarantine is intended to support biosecurity and monitor their health.
Key facts
- Number of orangutans
- Five infants
- Rescue date
- September 8
- Rescue location
- A forest in Balasore district, Odisha
- Quarantine duration
- 90 days
- Quarantine guidance
- The Central Zoo Authority advised the 90-day quarantine and restricted facility access to caregivers and doctors.
- Health update
- Three orangutans were anaemic; officials said haemoglobin levels in two of them were improving.
- Public viewing
- No public viewing is planned until the state government and other statutory bodies make a final decision.
- Investigation
- Authorities, including the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, are investigating how the apes reached Odisha.
Quotes
Pradeep Mirase
Deputy Director of Nandankanan Zoological Park
“The orangutans will be quarantined in the hand-rearing centre (HRC) area only, where they are currently kept. We have open enclosures at the side of HRC, having a larger area and open skies, where the apes will be moved during the day to acclimatise with the environment after the advice of the technical committee.”
indianexpress.com
Zoo deputy director
Nandankanan Zoological Park deputy director discussing the quarantine decision
“The rescued orangutans are infants; their place of origin remains unknown, and their health history is also unclear. We don’t know if they have any underlying diseases. In view of the CZA advisory, it was decided to quarantine the apes for 90 days.”
indianexpress.com
Nandankanan Zoological Park
Zoo authority issuing a statement on the infants’ condition
“There is a gradual increase in the weight of each baby. The orangutan babies are apparently healthy and have a normal appetite, while their behaviour and activity levels are gradually improving. Their faecal consistency is also normal.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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