Nandankanan Zoo Orangutan Health Update: One Rescued Baby Primate Develops Fever Under Quarantine
One of five baby orangutans quarantined at Nandankanan Zoological Park following a September 8 rescue has developed a fever, prompting round-the-clock veterinary care as authorities investigate an international wildlife smuggling ring. 'But it is now stable and under strict medical supervision,' a senior official said.
A baby orangutan quarantined at Odisha’s Nandankanan Zoological Park has developed a persistent fever, prompting heightened veterinary monitoring just days after the animals were rescued from suspected international wildlife traffickers. The five baby orangutans, which are not native to India, were placed in quarantine following their rescue on September 8 from the Bichitrapur forest in Balasore district. The Odisha Police’s Special Task Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau are actively investigating the ongoing international smuggling case.
Veterinary Care and Treatment
Official sources reported that one of the infant orangutans has exhibited an elevated body temperature since Sunday. While the fever temporarily drops with medication, it continues to recur, though the animal remains stable under intensive care. Orangutans Not Native to India Found in Balasore Forest; Odisha Government Orders High-Level Investigation.
"One of the orangutans has had a fever since the day it was brought here. The fever subsides when given medicine, but reappears again. But it is now stable and under strict medical supervision," a senior official stated to PTI.
Veterinary specialists note that the fever could be triggered by travel fatigue, stress, or the sudden climate shift from their natural rainforest habitats. Aditya Acharya, head of the Centre for Wildlife Health at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), explained that primate fevers are treated similarly to human conditions, often utilising paracetamol-based medication and adjusted dietary intake.
Isolation and Specialised Husbandry
To protect the vulnerable animals, authorities have established isolated arrangements separate from the zoo's broader recent acquisitions. Their temperature-controlled quarantine room has been fitted with specialised mosquito nets. The infants receive round-the-clock attention from a dedicated team of three caretakers and attending physicians. Under an expert-designed dietary schedule, the baby orangutans are fed milk every two hours, supplemented by apple and banana fluids alongside boiled potatoes.
To mitigate environmental stress and foster psychological well-being, the enclosure has also been outfitted with soft toys, swings, and ambient audio playback. Officials confirmed that the remaining four infant orangutans continue to maintain good health and normal activity levels.
Oversight and Technical Committee
The Odisha government has constituted a five-member technical committee tasked with supervising the upkeep and welfare of the rescued animals. The panel holds the authority to consult national and international wildlife organizations as necessary to ensure optimal standards of care. Chief Wildlife Warden and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) PK Jha confirmed that caretakers are strictly executing expert directives regarding feeding and habitat maintenance, though he noted he had no direct confirmation regarding the isolated case of fever.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2026 03:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
