To ensure the optimal care and rehabilitation of the five baby orangutans recently rescued from the Bichitrapur Badapahi forest in Baleshwar’s Bhogarai block, the state government has constituted a special five-member technical committee.
The rescued apes are currently being housed and monitored at the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. Recognizing the specialized care required for these primates, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha officially formed the expert panel to guide their upbringing.
The high-level committee comprises top wildlife and veterinary experts from across the country. Members include a veterinary officer from Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru (Karnataka), a representative of the Director of the Wildlife Institute of India (Dehradun), the Project Coordinator from the Centre for Wildlife Health at OUAT (Bhubaneswar), and a veterinary officer nominated by the Director of the National Zoological Park (New Delhi). The Director of Nandankanan Zoo will serve as the convenor of the committee.
According to the directive issued by the PCCF (Wildlife), the panel’s primary mandate is to advise on the proper care, health, and management of the baby orangutans. To ensure world-class standards, the committee is authorized to consult with national or international experts and organizations. The panel has been appointed for an initial term of six months, with provisions to extend its tenure if necessary.
The Ongoing Investigation
While the technical committee focuses on the animals’ well-being, a major mystery remains: how did these baby orangutans end up in the coastal forests of Balasore?
The Special Task Force (STF) is actively investigating the suspected international wildlife smuggling syndicate behind the incident. The STF has zeroed in on a hotel owner from Digha and his son, who are strongly suspected to be involved in the smuggling operation. The suspects are currently absconding, and law enforcement agencies have intensified their search operations to track them down and unravel the smuggling network.
