Three people arrested in connection with Orangutan rescue in Odisha

In this still image from a video taken on September 10, 2026, a baby orangutan, which was recently rescued along with four others from Balasore district, plays with stuffed toys in a quarantine cell at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha’s Khordha district. | Photo credit: PTI

In connection with the rescue of five young orangutans in Balasore district, the Odisha Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has arrested three persons from Digha Hotel in West Bengal. STF has also registered a formal case.

The arrest of the three people followed an examination of CCTV footage which captured the movement of a black SUV closer to where the abandoned orangutans were left on September 7.

The STF has detained three persons on suspicion and they have been interrogated, Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra said. Police declined to release details of the investigation because it could jeopardize the investigation.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday ordered an inquiry into the circumstances under which the orangutans landed in Balasore district. The STF team spoke to villagers and forest staff at the field level about the mysterious orangutan sighting.

According to the Odisha Police, three persons have been identified in coordination with the West Bengal Police. Mr. Mishra said visible progress in the investigation was expected within seven to eight days.

Meanwhile, Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of the Wildlife Society of Orissa, an environmental pressure group, said the young orangutans should be returned to their original habitats.

“Indonesia has officially asked India to return the five rescued baby orangutans if its investigation reveals that the animals came from the Southeast Asian country,” Mr Mohanty said.

“On September 10, the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry wrote to India’s CITES Management Authority offering assistance in the repatriation process to ensure the swift return of the five baby orangutans after DNA tests identified the source,” he pointed out.

“Preliminary investigations and physical assessments strongly suggest that these critically endangered primates are victims of the international wildlife trade, illegally brought into India to feed the expanding underground trade in exotic pets,” Mr Mohanty said.

He urged the Director General of Forests to ensure the speedy repatriation of these young apes to their territories (Indonesia or Malaysia).

Published – 11 Sep 2026 22:37 IST