The Crime Branch Special Task Force (STF) is set to investigate the mysterious rescue of five orangutan cubs from the Jhau forest area of Balasore district. A team is expected to visit the spot and conduct an on-site investigation to determine how the rare animals reached the area.
The five orangutan cubs, rescued from the Bichitrapur forest in Balasore, have been shifted to the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar under tight security. The decision was taken considering Nandankanan’s specialised veterinary facilities and experience in caring for rare and exotic wildlife.
The rescued cubs are currently being kept in a separate quarantine facility at Nandankanan. Comprehensive medical examinations are underway, while a team of veterinary specialists is closely monitoring their health and condition.
The orangutans were rescued on Tuesday morning when forest officials of the Balasore Wildlife Division spotted them during a routine patrol in the forest area. Their sudden presence in Balasore has raised several questions, as orangutans are not native to India.
Officials are now trying to ascertain whether the animals somehow arrived in the area or were deliberately abandoned. Another possibility being examined is whether the cubs were being smuggled and were left behind after the smugglers came under pressure or feared detection. The exact circumstances remain unclear.
Orangutans are naturally found in the tropical and humid forests of Southeast Asia, particularly on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. They are among the world’s most threatened great apes, with their populations declining because of habitat destruction, hunting and illegal wildlife trafficking.
The rescue has therefore raised serious concerns over the possible involvement of an organised wildlife trafficking network. The Crime Branch STF investigation is expected to focus on the origin of the cubs, how they were transported to Balasore and whether anyone was involved in their illegal possession or trafficking.
The authorities are also expected to examine CCTV footage, transportation routes and other available evidence as part of the probe. Further details are likely to emerge once the investigation progresses.
For now, the five cubs remain under specialised care at Nandankanan, where veterinary experts are working to ensure their safety and recovery.