Baby orangutans face longer quarantine at Odisha zoo

Five baby orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha's Balasore district face an extended quarantine period at Nandankanan Zoological Park. Rescued amid smuggling concerns in September, the animals will remain in quarantine for 90 days, as recommended by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to comply with biosecurity protocols. The CZA's recommendation, aimed at preventing disease spread among animal populations, leaves only caregivers and doctors allowed entry into the quarantine facility where the infant orangutans are being cared for.

Deputy Zoo Director Pradeep Mirase explained that the orangutans will initially stay in the hand-rearing centre (HRC) area before being gradually introduced to open enclosures during the day for acclimatization under the guidance of a technical committee. Orangutans, native to Indonesia and Malaysia and listed as "critically endangered" by the IUCN Red List, are protected under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), subjecting them to stringent international trade restrictions.

Authorities are currently investigating the origin of the infant orangutans, whose health history and place of origin remain unclear. The 90-day quarantine period, mandatory for highly protected or high-risk species, is designed to ensure the infants receive optimal healthcare and management. While the state government has formed a technical committee to oversee their well-being, public viewing of the rescued orangutans will be delayed until a final decision is made by the state government and other regulatory bodies.