Odisha Forms Expert Panel to Care for Rescued Baby Orangutans

In a heartening move for wildlife conservation, the Odisha government has established a dedicated technical committee to oversee the rehabilitation of five vulnerable baby orangutans, rescued earlier this month from illegal wildlife trade networks. The infants, now safely quarantined at Nandankanan Zoological Park, are receiving round-the-clock care as authorities rally experts to ensure their recovery and long-term wellbeing.

A Delicate Rescue Operation

The five orangutans—a species not native to India—were intercepted in the Bichitrapur forest of Balasore district on September 8, likely victims of international smuggling. Their sudden arrival presented an urgent challenge: how to provide appropriate care for animals thousands of miles from their natural habitat.

Chief Wildlife Warden P.K. Jha made the state's priority clear. "Our immediate focus is to ensure these five animals receive the best possible care," he stated, emphasizing the specialized hand-rearing center at Nandankanan now serves as their temporary home.

Around-the-Clock Care

Inside the quarantine unit, a carefully orchestrated routine has begun. Three dedicated caretakers and veterinary doctors monitor the orphans continuously, feeding them milk every two hours along with apple and banana fluids and boiled potatoes—all following a dietary chart designed by experts.

Aditya Acharya, head of OUAT's Wildlife Treatment Centre, observed the babies are gradually warming to their human caregivers. "The caretakers are like new mothers to the baby orangutans," he noted, suggesting the animals might have had previous contact with humans.

To keep them mentally stimulated and stress-free, the team has introduced soft toys, swings, and even music sessions—small comforts in an unfamiliar environment.

Expert Guidance and Next Steps

The newly formed technical committee brings together national expertise to guide the orangutans' care. Chaired by the director of Nandankanan Biological Park, the group includes a veterinary officer from Mysuru's Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, a representative from the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, and a coordinator from OUAT's Centre for Wildlife Health.

The panel's mandate is broad: assess welfare issues, provide technical inputs, and consult international experts if needed. Meanwhile, health improvements are already visible—one baby has recovered from fever, and two others from colds. Collection of blood samples for DNA testing has been postponed for about ten days to allow further stabilization.

As the orangutans grow stronger, Odisha's Special Task Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau continue investigating the smuggling ring that brought these endangered infants to Indian shores—a stark reminder of the global threat wildlife trafficking poses to vulnerable species.