Bhubaneswar: Health condition of three of the five orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha’s Baleshwar district was stated to be stable, while the other two are undergoing treatment at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.
Zoo officials said experts and health specialists have recommended another seven to eight days to acclimatise the rare animals to the environment and make them stress-free.
The authorities have arranged toys and other items, and installed a swing for the young orangutans on the suggestion of biologists as part of stress management efforts.
Steps are also being taken to play classical music to help reduce their stress, according to Nandankanan Zoological Park Deputy Director Pradeep Mirase.
He said one of the orangutans has developed fever and is currently under treatment. Its condition is improving. Another orangutan was found to be suffering from a worm infection after its stool was examined. The animal has been given medicines for treatment.
The place where the orangutans have been kept is being regularly disinfected to prevent the spread of infection to the other animals.
The zoo authorities also plan to conduct DNA tests on all five orangutans. Blood samples will be collected ten days after their full recovery. The tests will be carried out following the advice of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Mirase said.
Meanwhile, experts from Mysuru Zoo will assess the orangutans through video conferencing. A team of specialists will observe their behaviour and evaluate their mental condition.
The five orangutans were rescued from a forest in Baleshwar district on September 8. Their presence in Odisha has raised questions as orangutans are not native to India.
Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia has said efforts will be made to keep all five orangutans at Nandankanan.
Meanwhile, a joint investigation has been launched to establish the origin of the animals, who brought them to Odisha and how they reached the state. The probe is being conducted by the Special Task Force (STF), Forest Department and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).
Investigators suspect that the orangutans may have been brought from outside Odisha, as the species is not native to the state or the country.
