No concrete evidence yet from Indonesia for claim of rescued orangutans: Orissa minister

In this photo provided by DFO Balasore Wildlife Division, a rescued baby orangutan hangs on a pole at Bhograi village in Balasore district of North Odisha. File | Photo credit: DFO Balasore Wildlife Division via AP

Neither Indonesia nor any other country has yet provided documentary evidence to prove ownership of five baby orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha two months ago, state forest minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said on Sunday (Nov 8, 2026).

Speaking to reporters, Mr Khuntia said all five orangutans were doing well and expressed the state’s desire to keep them at the Nandankanan Zoological Park.

“All the five baby orangutans are doing well and growing. Nobody should disturb them. We want them to stay in Odisha and visitors will get an opportunity to see them at Nandakanan Zoo,” he said.

The minister said some countries could claim the animals under international wildlife trade regulations, but would have to provide concrete evidence to show the rescued animals came from their territory.

“The Indonesian government made their claim as a matter of routine. We will look for evidence to prove that the orangutans came from their country. If they provide proof, the animals can be handed over to them,” Mr Khuntia said.

He added that the state government has submitted the details of the rescued animals to the Center for necessary action.

“Odisha has a favorable environment for orangutans. So we want them to stay here,” he said.

Five baby orangutans were rescued from Bichitrapur forest in Balasore district on September 8 and subsequently taken to Nandankanan Zoo where they were kept in quarantine.

Officials said the animals were housed in a temperature-controlled room and gradually acclimatized to the local environment.

The state government made arrangements for their comfort and helped them overcome their stress. According to them, the animals displayed a range of emotions, from playful behavior and brief mood swings to anxious clinging to each other.

Nandankanan Zoo already has a special enclosure for orangutans, which has remained vacant since the death of a 41-year-old female orangutan in 2019. The animal was brought from Pune Zoo in 2003, they added.

A joint investigation by the Odisha Police’s Special Task Force (STF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is underway to find out how the orangutans reached Balasore.

Investigators are also looking into the possible involvement of an international wildlife trafficking network.

Published – 8 Nov 2026 15:49 IST