Baby orangutans found in Indian forest spark trafficking inquiry - BBC

**Baby orangutans discovered in Odisha’s Balasore forest have ignited a full‑scale wildlife‑trafficking probe** after officials confirmed that the great apes are not native to India. Forest officials first reported the sighting in early July when forest‑department rangers, accompanied by local villagers, stumbled upon two infant orangutans nestled in a dense patch of bamboo. The animals were immediately rescued and handed over to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), which launched an inquiry into how the Southeast‑Asian species ended up in the eastern Indian state.

Preliminary investigations suggest the orangutans were part of an illegal smuggling operation that imported the primates from Indonesia or Malaysia, possibly for the exotic‑pet market or for use in unlicensed “hand‑rearing” facilities. A camera trap installed near the rescue site captured footage of a black‑tahr—a native mountain goat—moving through the same area, prompting speculation that the forest’s remote terrain may have been used as a drop‑off point. Wildlife officials have also noted that the rescued infants displayed signs of human contact, such as unusually tame behavior and the presence of synthetic fibers on their fur, indicating they likely spent time in captivity before being abandoned.

The Odisha government has ordered a multi‑agency task force, comprising the State Forest Department, the WCCB, and the Central Bureau of Investigation, to trace the supply chain and identify any domestic or cross‑border networks involved. Officials have warned that violators could face stringent penalties under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and have appealed to the public for any information that could aid the investigation. The two orangutans are now under veterinary care at a rehabilitation centre in Bhubaneswar, where experts will assess whether they can be re‑introduced to the wild or must remain in captivity.