Three persons detained in connection with rescue of orangutans in Odisha

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had on Thursday directed to find the circumstances under which the orangutans landed in Balasore district. The STF team had spoken to villagers and field level forest staff about mysterious spotting of orangutans.

According to Odisha Police, the detection of three persons was made in coordination with the West Bengal Police. Mr. Mishra said visible progress on the investigation was expected within seven to eight days.

Meanwhile, Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of Wildlife Society of Orissa, an environmental pressure group, said the young orangutans should be returned to their original habitats.

“Indonesia has officially requested India to return five rescued infant orangutans if its investigations reveal that the animals originated in the Southeast Asian country,” said Mr. Mohanty.

“On September 10, Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry wrote to the Indian CITES Management Authority offering help for the process of repatriation to ensure the speedy return of five infant orangutans after DNA tests reveal the source,” he pointed out.

“Preliminary investigations and physical assessments strongly indicate that these critically endangered primates are victims of international wildlife trafficking, brought illegally into India to feed the expanding underground trade in exotic pets,” Mr. Mohanty said.

He urged  Director General of Forests to ensure these young apes are repatriated to their range state (Indonesia or Malaysia) at the earliest.