Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Five Infant Orangutans in Odisha Trigger Trafficking Investigation
Five baby orangutans were found in a forest in Odisha, India.
Orangutans do not naturally live in India.
They usually come from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Sumatra.
This makes authorities suspect that the animals may have been trafficked.
The orangutans were taken to a zoo in Bhubaneswar for care.
They are being kept in a special room and slowly introduced to the local environment.
Indonesia has asked India to return them.
Scientists will use DNA tests to learn where they came from.
Orangutans are critically endangered, and selling them internationally is prohibited.
Five juvenile orangutans were rescued from Bichitrapur forest in Odisha’s Balasore district.
The animals were taken to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar and quarantined.
Indonesia has asked India to hand over the five orangutans, which may be Sumatran.
DNA testing is planned to confirm their origin as authorities investigate alleged trafficking.
International commercial trade in orangutans is prohibited, and the species is Critically Endangered.
- Who
- Five infant orangutans, Indian and Indonesian authorities, and Odisha forest officials are involved.
- What
- Five orangutans were rescued, prompting an investigation into alleged trafficking and a request from Indonesia for their handover.
- When
- The orangutans were rescued on Tuesday, three days before Indonesia’s forestry ministry made its request; a related report was dated September 10, 2026.
- Where
- They were found in Bichitrapur forest in Balasore district, Odisha, and taken to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.
- Why
- Their presence in India is suspicious because orangutans are not native there, and authorities are investigating how they arrived.
Return to Indonesia
Retain in India Pending Approval
Custody of the orangutans
Return to Indonesia
The Indonesian government has asked India to hand over the five animals, which may have originated in Indonesia.
Retain in India Pending Approval
The Odisha government is awaiting Central Zoo Authority permission to keep the orangutans at Nandankanan Zoological Park.
Confirming their origin
Return to Indonesia
Indonesia’s forestry ministry said the orangutans appear to be of Sumatran origin.
Retain in India Pending Approval
DNA tests have not yet confirmed where the animals came from, so authorities are continuing to assess their origin.
- Animals rescued
- Five infant or juvenile orangutans
- Rescue location
- Bichitrapur forest, Balasore district, Odisha
- Current location
- Nandankanan Zoological Park, Bhubaneswar
- Possible origin
- The orangutans appear to be Sumatran, pending DNA confirmation
- Indonesian request
- Indonesia has asked India to hand over the animals
- Animal protection
- Orangutans are classified as Critically Endangered
- Trade rules
- International commercial trade in orangutans is prohibited under CITES
