Five Non-Native Orangutans Rescued in Odisha

Odisha Forest Department officials rescued five young orangutans, aged six months to one year, from a casuarina plantation in the Udayapur-Talsari forest area on September 8, 2026.

The animals, which are not native to India, were found abandoned in Balasore district and have been transferred to Nandankanan Zoological Park for medical examination.

Regional Chief Conservator of Forests Prakash Chand Gogineni stated that the incident appears to be a botched transit operation, and a case is being registered under the Wildlife Protection Act.