Rare sighting: 5 orangutans, not native to India, found in Odisha forest; probe launched
Forest officials suspect role of international wildlife smuggling racket in the suspected smuggling of the primates; combing operation launched in nearby forests
The rescue of five orangutans, which are not indigenous to India, from a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district, has raised suspicions about the presence of an international wildlife smuggling racket, prompting authorities to launch a probe.
Odisha Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the five orangutans were rescued by the forest patrolling team in the Bichitrapur forest area under Bhograi block on Tuesday (September 8) morning.
4 orangutans healthy: Balasore DFO
An Indian Express report says the orangutans were spotted by locals first. As the news spread, locals flocked to the spot to see the primates, prompting the forest department to rescue them. According to the report, the orangutans, around 1-1.15 feet in height, are likely to be juveniles.
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“We have rescued five baby orangutans and brought them to the forest office. Four of the five babies are healthy and eating food and drinking ORS. Veterinary doctors are examining and treating them and they are under the care and observation of the forest officials,” Balasore Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pratik Prakash Indalkar told IE.
Senior officials suspect they were smuggled into the state by an international wildlife smuggling racket.
Singhkhuntia said the government has urged the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to inquire into how the critically endangered great apes landed in Odisha.
Critically endangered
Orangutans are apes native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. All the three living species of orangutans – Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli – are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 makes the possession, trade, import, export, transfer or breeding of all CITES-listed species including orangutans illegal. Legal possession, however, requires proof of lawful acquisition (for e.g. via a recognised zoo or prior legal import with full documentation).
WCCB entrusted with probe
“These animals are not found in India and are mostly seen in rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. We suspect that they might have been released in the Balasore district forest which borders West Bengal by an international wildlife smuggling racket,” the minister said.
He said the price of each of these orangutans is Rs 20-Rs 25 lakh in the international market.
Singhkhuntia said that these apes might have been brought to Odisha by air, water or rail routes.
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“We have urged the WCCB to probe into the incident and asked the airport, railway stations and ports to verify their CCTV cameras as the animals might have been brought through their transportation facilities,” the minister said.
The WCCB is responsible for tackling wildlife-related crimes in the country.
‘Priority is to keep them safe’
Meanwhile, senior forest department officials are ensuring that the rescued animals remain safe. A team of veterinary doctors from Simlipal National Park has reached the place and is monitoring the health of the orangutans.
“After observation, the animals will be kept in Nandan Kanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar,” the minister said.
Balasore DFO Indalkar told PTI that the possibility of natural migration of the species to the Balasore forest is less as there is no corridor link and a suspected human role.
“We are conducting a detailed inquiry into where these animals have come from and when they have reached here. However, at present our focus is to keep them safe and healthy," Indalkar said.
Combing operation in nearby forests
Principal Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) Prem Kumar Jha confirmed that the forest department will conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.
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A formal complaint has also been filed under the relevant provisions of wildlife laws. The forest department along with police is trying to ascertain the involvement of any gang in the suspected smuggling of the mammals.
According to the IE report, the forest department has also launched a combing operation in the nearby forests to see if any other animals are present there or if there are any signs of smuggling.
Visitors flock to Balasore forest
Meanwhile, a large number of people from the locality reached the forest to have a glimpse of the animals in the wild.
“They are cool and not harming anyone or getting irritated due to human presence,” a senior forest official told PTI.
The authorities have urged people to maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbing the orangutans. These animals are mainly fruit-eaters but also consume leaves, bark, insects and bird eggs.
Smuggling incidents
In June this year, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a wildlife smuggling racket operating in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district. Officials rescued several protected species including the Malabar Giant Squirrel, Indian Star Tortoise and Small Indian Civet.
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In the same month, Kolkata Customs seized nearly 1,100 protected and exotic animals and aquatic species covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and CITES. The seizure was made after intercepting two passengers travelling to Kuala Lumpur.