Five baby orangutans have been discovered in a forest in India thousands of kilometers from their natural habitat, triggering an international wildlife trafficking investigation according to Odisha’s environment minister Ram Singh Khuntia. Authorities are working to determine how the rare apes reached the Jaleswar range in the Balasore district, where forest department officials on patrol found the animals in a suspected smuggling incident.
International Wildlife Trafficking Suspected in Balasore District
Wildlife investigators believe an international smuggling ring may be responsible for transporting the infant apes into the country. According to Ram Singh Khuntia, the Odisha environment minister, authorities are actively probing how the animals crossed borders to reach the eastern Indian state. International commercial trade in the species is strictly prohibited under Cites, the global agreement governing trade in endangered wildlife.
Forest department officials patrolling the Jaleswar range recovered the five infant apes, estimating they had been in the area for just a few days. Following their discovery, the animals were moved into quarantine at a zoological park in Odisha for observation and veterinary care.
Did you know? Orangutans are native exclusively to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra and are globally recognized by their distinctive shaggy red fur.
Population Declines and Threats Across Borneo, Sumatra, and Indonesia
The discovery comes amid ongoing conservation concerns for the species across its native range. According to the World Wildlife Fund, approximately 104,000 orangutans remain in Borneo and Sumatra, down from more than 230,000 a century ago. A third species, the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis), is classified as critically endangered with fewer than 800 individuals surviving in the wild.
Conservationists reported in November that severe flooding in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province reduced the Tapanuli population by 7%. Between 33 and 54 individuals were estimated killed in widespread floods and landslides. Previous research indicates that annual losses of just 1% could drive the Tapanuli population toward eventual extinction. The entire remaining population dwells solely in the West Block of the Batang Toru forest, an area facing mounting pressures from mining, palm oil plantations, and a large hydropower project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the baby orangutans found in India?
The five baby orangutans were found by forest department patrol officials in the Jaleswar range of the Balasore district in Odisha state.
Are orangutans native to India?
No. Orangutans are native exclusively to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in southeast Asia and are protected under Cites regulations prohibiting international commercial trade.
How many orangutans are left in the wild?
According to the World Wildlife Fund, about 104,000 orangutans remain across Borneo and Sumatra, while fewer than 800 critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans survive in Sumatra.
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