Orangutans not native to India found in Odisha forest; govt orders probe
Five non-native orangutans were discovered in a forest in Odisha, India, leading authorities to suspect an international wildlife smuggling operation. The government has launched an investigation involving the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to determine how the animals were transported into the country.
Why it matters
The incident exposes potential gaps in border security and wildlife protection enforcement against international trafficking syndicates.
At least five orangutans, which are not indigenous to India, were rescued in a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district, prompting the authorities to suspect that wildlife smugglers might be behind the animals' sudden appearance there, a Minister said on Tuesday (September 8, 2026).
The State Government urged the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to inquire into how the critically endangered great apes reached Bichitrapur forest area under Bhograi block.
Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia said the five orangutans were rescued by the forest patrolling team on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) morning.
“These animals are not found in India and are mostly seen in rainforests of Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. We suspect that they might have been released in the Balasore district forest which borders West Bengal by an international wildlife smuggling racket,” the Minister said.
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