Bhubaneswar: The five orangutans rescued recently from Badapahi area near Ranakotha reserve forest in Baleshwar district, are expected to remain in the state, with the Odisha government clarifying that no foreign country has yet presented valid, concrete ownership claims backed by documentary proof.
Orangutans are native exclusively to the tropical rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. Their unusual discovery in Odisha prompted swift intervention by wildlife authorities and a probe by the Special Task Force (STF) into suspected international wildlife trafficking networks.
State Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia addressed the status of the primates on Sunday, emphasising that any potential repatriation or transfer will hinge on verified documentation. “No country has made an official claim yet. Even if a claim is made under International Trading Law, the state will demand comprehensive official reports before justifying its stance to retain them. Only after proper verification will the Centre take a call,” he stated.
The minister noted that an expert delegation from Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry is scheduled to visit India in November 2026, coordinated by the Indian Embassy in Jakarta. However, he emphasised that the team’s primary role will be to assess and examine the primates rather than facilitate an immediate transfer.
Currently housed at the Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar under veterinary observation and strict biosecurity protocols, the rescued primates are reported to be in good health. The minister highlighted that the local climate at Nandankanan is well-suited for the animals and expressed a strong desire to keep them in Odisha rather than disturbing them.
Zoo authorities expect the primates to serve as a major attraction for visitors once regulatory clearances from the Central Zoo Authority are finalised alongside ongoing legal and diplomatic proceedings.
