The five orangutans, comprising two females and three males(aged between six and eight months) were spotted by villagers, who alerted the forest officials.
Indonesia seeks repatriation of 5 baby orangutans: Indonesia has officially requested India to return five infant orangutans rescued from a forest in Baleshwar district. Officials also said they are ready to coordinate with Indian authorities if investigations confirm the animals originated in Indonesia.
In a letter dated September 10, Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry urged the Indian CITES Management Authority( which regulates the entry of exotic wildlife into India, among other things) to confirm the incident and share details of the five orangutans found from the Udaipur-Talsari forest area on September 8. Indonesia is ready to help and coordinate closely with Indian authorities to take all steps to ensure the speedy return of five infant orangutans if genetic samples reveal that they originated in Indonesia, the letter stated.
The five orangutans, comprising two females and three males(aged between six and eight months) were spotted by villagers, who alerted the forest officials. Officials suspect that the orangutans may have been abandoned following a failed wildlife trafficking operation.
The ministry has further requested information on possible trafficking routes, the point of entry into India and any countries that may have been used as transit points. It has also asked whether investigators have found any CITES permits or other wildlife trade documents linked to the animals.
The incident has reportedly been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act. The rescued orangutans are currently housed at Nandankanan Zoological Park . On the other hand Odisha government has approached the Central Zoo Authority seeking permission for the animals to remain at the zoo permanently.
ALSO READ: Five baby orangutans rescued from Baleshwar
