Five Baby Orangutans Discovered in Odisha Forest Spark Smuggling Probe

Wed Sep 09 2026 14:09:49 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A cluster of juvenile orangutans found in an Odisha forest has prompted a wildlife trafficking investigation into their mysterious arrival.

In the jungles of Odisha, five infant orangutans were found far from their native rainforests, sparking concerns over an illicit smuggling operation. Local villagers spotted the babies, who were promptly rescued and placed in quarantine at Nandankanan Zoo. Forest officials suspect they were transported by road from neighboring countries, prompting a joint investigation involving the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. The case underscores the ongoing threat of illegal wildlife trade and the vulnerability of critically endangered species.

BREAKING: Five baby orangutans were discovered in a remote forest in Odisha's Balasore district, thousands of kilometres from the wild habitats of these critically endangered apes. Photos shared online show the juveniles sitting together on a green mat, eating bananas, and were rescued by forest officials early Tuesday after local residents alerted authorities.

The animals were air‑lifted to Nandankanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar, where they are receiving veterinary care and placed under strict quarantine. Forest Officer Pratik Prakash Indalkar said the five orangutans could not have reached Odisha naturally, hinting at improper transport via road.

Odisha’s wildlife ministry has requested an investigation by the national Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. A special task force comprising police, forest officials and wildlife experts is currently probing whether the apes were smuggled from neighboring Myanmar or Indonesia and abandoned near a state highway.

Experts point out that all three species of orangutans—Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli—are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. Their numbers are shrinking due to deforestation, habitat loss and illegal hunting. Despite international protection under CITES and Indian wildlife laws, illegal trade for exotic pets and private collectors persists.

It is not the first time infant orangutans have appeared in India. In 2022, two baby orangutans were found abandoned near an Assam‑Mizoram checkpoint. Local authorities suspected illegal entry from Myanmar.