The Odisha government has formally requested that five orangutans rescued from Baleshwar district remain permanently at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia stated on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
The Minister confirmed that the five primates—rescued during a routine forest patrol in the Bichitrapur forest area in September—are in good health, adding that no foreign nation has formally submitted an international ownership claim for them so far.
Health Status and International Verification Protocols
Native to the tropical rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia, orangutans are not indigenous to India, making their discovery in Odisha an exceptional wildlife case:
- Rescue & Rehabilitation: The animals were rescued on 8 September 2026 in the Barapahi area near Rankotha under Bhograi block, Baleshwar district. Following immediate health evaluations by veterinary specialists, they were transferred to Nandankanan for specialized care and observation.
- Indonesian Delegation Visit: Facilitated by the Embassy of India in Jakarta, an expert wildlife team from Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is scheduled to visit Nandankanan in November 2026 to assist in evaluating the primates.
- Documentation Verification: The Government of India will review all documentation and proof of origin presented by the visiting Indonesian delegation before any final international protocols are determined.
