Odisha Awaits Proof From Indonesia Over Ownership of Five Rescued Baby Orangutans

Neither Indonesia nor any other nation has provided documentary proof to claim five baby orangutans rescued in Odisha two months ago. State Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia shared this update on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Current Status

All five animals are doing well, growing, and staying in quarantine at Nandankanan Zoological Park. The State government wants to keep them in Odisha so visitors can see them at the zoo. Officials noted that the zoo has a special enclosure that has stayed empty since a 41-year-old female orangutan died there in 2019.

Official Stance

Minister Khuntia said foreign nations might stake a claim under international wildlife trade rules, but they must show concrete evidence that the animals came from their land. The Odisha government has already shared details of the rescued apes with the Central government for action.

Investigation

Police and wildlife agencies are currently investigating how the baby orangutans reached Balasore forest, where they were found on September 8. Investigators are looking into a possible international wildlife trafficking network.

Context

Orangutans are large apes native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, specifically the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, making them exotic animals in India. Wildlife trafficking often involves illegal cross-border smuggling networks that move protected species far away from their natural habitats.