Orangutans Not Native to India Found in Balasore Forest; Odisha Government Orders High-Level Investigation
Five orangutans, a species native to Southeast Asia and not indigenous to India, were rescued from a forest in Odisha's Balasore district, prompting a high-level government probe into an international wildlife smuggling ring. Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the five orangutans were rescued by the forest patrolling team on Tuesday morning.
At least five orangutans - a critically endangered great ape species native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia and not indigenous to India - were rescued from a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district on Tuesday, September 8. The unusual discovery has prompted the state government to order a high-level probe, with authorities suspecting the involvement of an international wildlife smuggling network.
Rescue and Initial Findings
The five orangutans were spotted by local residents in the Bichitrapur forest area under the Bhograi block before being safely rescued by a forest patrolling team, reports PTI. Odisha Horror: 23-Year-Old Man Beats Father to Death Over Alcohol Dispute in Jajpur District.
Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia noted that the animals do not inhabit the wild in India, where their natural habitat is confined to Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra. Officials estimate that each of the primates commands a value of INR 20 lakh to INR 25 lakh on the international black market.
Balasore Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pratik Prakash Indalkar stated that the animals are currently under medical observation. A specialised veterinary team from Simlipal National Park was deployed to monitor their health, and officials confirmed that the young apes are responsive and taking food. Plans are underway to transfer them to the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar once their medical evaluations are finalised. Odisha Government Launches Tech, Skill Development Initiatives to Benefit 1.25 Lakh Students.
Investigation and Smuggling Angle
The state government has formally urged the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to investigate how the animals were transported into the region, noting that they may have been released near the West Bengal border by traffickers. Authorities have also requested transit hubs, including regional airports, railway stations, and ports, to review surveillance footage as part of the wider investigation. Local forest departments have launched combing operations in surrounding woodland areas while urging onlookers to maintain a safe distance from the rescued wildlife.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 08, 2026 08:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
