Bhubaneswar: Indonesia has sought the repatriation of five young orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha’s Baleshwar district, saying it is willing to coordinate with Indian authorities if investigations establish that the animals originated from Indonesia.
In a letter, Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry urged the Indian CITES Management Authority to confirm the incident and share details of the five orangutans, which were found in the forest on September 8.
The animals, comprising two females and three males aged between six and eight months, were spotted by villagers, who alerted the forest officials. Authorities suspect that the orangutans may have been abandoned after a wildlife trafficking act went wrong.
The Indonesian ministry said it was prepared to assist Indian authorities and coordinate all necessary steps for the speedy repatriation of the animals if genetic evidence establishes their Indonesian origin.
Orangutans of the genus Pongo are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Indonesia is one of the range countries for the orangutan species.
The letter, signed by Ahmad Munawir, Director of Species and Genetic Conservation in Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry, sought a detailed chronology of the incident and information about the animals’ present health condition, location and handling by Indian authorities.
Indonesia has also asked whether biological and genetic samples are being collected to determine the animals’ country of origin. It has sought any preliminary findings on where the orangutans may have come from.
The ministry has further requested information on possible trafficking routes, the point of entry into India and any countries that may have been used as transit points. It has also asked whether investigators have found any CITES permits or other wildlife trade documents linked to the animals.
Meanwhile, the Special Task Force of the Odisha Police is investigating the case. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is also involved in the probe. The incident has reportedly been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act.
The rescued orangutans are currently accommodated at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. There have been reports that the Odisha government has approached the Central Zoo Authority seeking permission for the animals to remain at the zoo permanently.
