Odisha Awaits Concrete Evidence From Indonesia For Claim Over Rescued Orangutans

Neither Indonesia nor any other country has provided documentary evidence to establish ownership of <b>five baby orangutans</b> rescued from Odisha, state Forest Minister <b>Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia</b> announced. The animals were rescued from Bichitrapur forest in Balasore district on <b>September 8</b> and shifted to quarantine at <b>Nandankanan Zoological Park</b>. The minister stated that all five animals are currently doing well and growing inside a temperature-controlled room at the zoo. Officials noted that the state government wants to retain the orangutans in Odisha, where a special enclosure has remained vacant since 2019, while details of the rescue have been submitted to the Centre. A joint investigation by the <b>Odisha Police Special Task Force</b> and the <b>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau</b> is currently underway to determine how the animals reached Balasore.