Mystery Surrounds Rescued Orangutans in Odisha: Are They Victims of Smuggling?

A joint investigation has been initiated in Odisha after five orangutans were rescued from a forest, raising concerns about potential wildlife smuggling. The state's Forest Minister announced that the inquiry will explore how these animals arrived in Baleshwar and who was involved in their transportation. With orangutans fetching high prices in international markets, authorities are taking this matter seriously. The rescued animals are currently being cared for at Nandankanan Zoological Park, where their health is being monitored. As the investigation unfolds, local police and forest officials are gathering information to uncover the truth behind this alarming incident.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 9, 2026, 15:34 IST

Investigation Launched After Orangutans Found in Odisha

Bhubaneswar/Baleshwar: Following the rescue of five orangutans from a forest in Baleshwar district, Odisha, authorities have initiated a joint investigation involving the Special Task Force (STF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). This inquiry aims to uncover the potential involvement of an international wildlife smuggling network behind the sudden appearance of these animals.

Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, the state's Forest and Environment Minister, announced that the investigation will focus on how the orangutans arrived in Baleshwar, who transported them, and the individuals involved in these activities.

Due to the high market value of orangutans—estimated between Rs 20-25 lakh internationally—it is suspected that they were illegally smuggled from their native habitats in Malaysia and Indonesia, particularly from the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.

The rescued orangutans are currently in quarantine at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, where a team of veterinarians is monitoring their health. The minister stated that the animals are stable and being kept in a climate-controlled environment.

Inspector General Himansu Lal of the Odisha STF confirmed that a team led by a senior officer has already commenced the investigation in Baleshwar.

STF DIG Vishal Singh mentioned that they are in the early stages of gathering local data and are coordinating with the central government’s wildlife division to determine if similar incidents have occurred elsewhere in the country.

The STF has reached out to the district SP and DFO to gather information regarding the rescue of the orangutans from a casuarina forest in the Bichitrapur area of Bhograi block.

In the meantime, forest officials and local police are canvassing the area to gather more information about the incident.

Villagers first noticed the young orangutans clinging to trees on Tuesday morning and promptly alerted the forest department, according to Baleshwar Divisional Forest Officer Prateek Prakash Indalkar.

Witnesses reported seeing a black SUV near the forest on Monday night, which was also captured on CCTV footage.

A local police officer noted that tracking down the SUV and its owner could provide crucial leads regarding the arrival of the baby orangutans.

The Odisha forest department has reached out to zoos nationwide to check if any orangutans are missing from their facilities.

Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from airports, ports, and major railway stations, and have contacted the Coast Guard to investigate any potential transportation of the animals via water routes.

Officials at Nandankanan Zoological Park reported that three of the five orangutans are male and two are female, all aged between six months and one year, standing approximately one to one-and-a-half feet tall.

The animals are currently receiving food and oral rehydration solutions.

Nandankanan Zoological Park has a designated enclosure for orangutans, which has been vacant since the death of a 41-year-old orangutan in 2019. A female orangutan was previously transferred from Pune Zoo to Nandankanan in 2003.

The state government has requested permission from the Central Zoo Authority to house the five baby orangutans at Nandankanan Zoological Park.