Three persons detained in connection with rescue of orangutans in Odisha

The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Police announced the detention of three persons suspected of involvement in the illegal rescue of five young orangutans left in Balasore district. Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra confirmed the arrests and said the detainees are being questioned, while the state government declined to disclose further investigative details.

CCTV footage captured a black SUV near the site where the primates were abandoned on September 7, prompting the STF to trace the vehicle to a hotel in Digha, West Bengal. The three suspects were apprehended in coordination with West Bengal Police, and a formal case has been registered. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered a probe into how the orangutans arrived in Odisha, and the STF expects visible progress within the next seven to eight days.

Conservation experts warn that the infant orangutans, classified as critically endangered, are likely victims of international wildlife trafficking. The Wildlife Society of Orissa’s secretary, Biswajit Mohanty, noted that Indonesia has requested their return pending DNA verification, and the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry has offered assistance to the Indian CITES Management Authority for repatriation. Authorities are urged to ensure the apes are sent back to their native range in Indonesia or Malaysia, underscoring broader concerns about illegal exotic‑pet trade.