Odisha forms technical panel for care of five rescued orangutans

The Odisha government has formed a five-member technical committee to oversee the care of five baby orangutans rescued from the Balasore district, according to officials. The orangutans are currently housed at the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. The committee, chaired by the director of Nandankanan Biological Park, includes a veterinary officer from Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysuru, a representative from the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, and the project coordinator of the Centre for Wildlife Health at OUAT, Bhubaneswar.

The committee may also consult experts from national and international organizations as needed. Chief Wildlife Warden and PCCF (Wildlife) P.K. Jha stated that the priority is to ensure the best possible care for the orangutans, who are not native to India. The animals are being monitored by three caretakers and doctors round the clock, and they are gradually becoming accustomed to their caregivers.

A head of the OUAT Wildlife Treatment Centre noted that the orangutans have been accepting food from the caretakers. Aditya Acharya highlighted that the ease with which the animals interact with caretakers suggests they have had prior human contact and care. The caretakers are feeding the orangutans milk every two hours, along with apple and banana fluids and boiled potatoes, as per a dietary chart prepared by experts.

The animals also receive soft toys, swings, and music to keep them stress-free. One orangutan has recovered from fever, while two others have recovered from a cold. Blood samples for DNA testing have been postponed for approximately ten days. The five orangutans were rescued from the Bichitrapur forest in Bhograi block of Balasore district on September 8.

The Odisha Police's Special Task Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau have intensified their investigation into international wildlife smuggling related to the case.