Indonesia Seeks to Bring Back Baby Orangutans Allegedly Trafficked to India
Officials have quarantined the five rescued infants and are investigating a suspected trafficking network, with one minister citing a possible international racket.
- Officials rescued five baby orangutans in Balasore, India, earlier this week after discovering them in the Jaleswar range; Balasore Divisional Forest Officer Pratik Prakash Indalkar confirmed the infants were moved to the Nandankanan Zoo for medical examinations.
- Odisha's Environment Minister Ram Singh Khuntia launched a trafficking investigation after the species' presence in the eastern Indian state prompted officials to open a probe, stating, "We suspect that an international racket might be involved in this."
- Veterinary doctors report four of the five infants are healthy, receiving specialized care at the forest office. Footage shows the babies consuming fruit and milk, with older siblings eating solid foods like mashed potatoes and apples.
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora prohibits commercial orangutan trading, making the rescue legally significant. Officials suspect the animals were held for several days before discovery and have placed them in quarantine at the state zoo.
- According to the World Wildlife Fund, 104,700 Bornean, 13,846 Sumatran, and 800 Tapanuli orangutans remain in the wild. Humans share 97 percent of their DNA with the critically endangered species, which faces threats from habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.
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Odisha orangutan mystery: Case filed, STF questions 3 in Bengal
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s DGP in-charge Vinaytosh Mishra said that a case was registered on Friday, September 11, in connection with the appearance of five baby orangutans in a forest in Balasore district and expressed confidence that the authorities will find out the wildlife trafficking racket involved in the case. The special task force has been questioning … Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politi…
Five orangutan cubs have been found in an Indian forest, thousands of kilometers from their natural habitat. Authorities have launched an investigation.
Odisha government awaits Central Zoo nod to keep 5 rescued orangutans at Nandankanan
The state government has provided all facilities for the comfort of the Orangutans to de-stress them as they showed a range of emotions, from playful behaviour and brief mood swings to anxiously clinging to one another, they said.
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