Five Orangutans Found in Baleshwar Forest, To Be Shifted to Nandankanan Zoo

In a rare and surprising discovery, forest officials in Baleshwar district spotted five orangutans inside the Rankotha protected forest during a routine patrol.

The animals, not native to Indian forests, were rescued by a special team and taken to a local hospital for medical examination.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Prem Jha confirmed the recovery, stating that their health will be thoroughly checked and an investigation launched to determine how the orangutans reached Odisha.

Authorities are making arrangements to house them at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.

The unusual sighting has raised questions about possible illegal trafficking or accidental release, and the Forest Department is probing the matter to trace their origin.