Five baby orangutans were discovered in a forested area of Odisha, a state in eastern India, triggering an investigation into their origins and how they arrived so far from their native habitat. The young apes were found early Tuesday in Balasore district after local residents alerted forest authorities upon seeing them.

Orangutans are critically endangered and naturally found only in the tropical rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They do not inhabit India, making their presence in Odisha highly unusual and raising concerns about possible illegal wildlife trafficking.

Officials provided initial medical care to the orangutans before transferring them to Nandankanan Zoological Park in the state capital, Bhubaneswar. The animals are currently in quarantine, where veterinarians are closely monitoring their health.

Pratik Prakash Indalkar, Balasore District Forest Officer, stated that the orangutans could not have arrived in Odisha through natural means and likely were transported by road. Local authorities are investigating whether an international smuggling network may have trafficked and abandoned the animals near a highway.

The Odisha government has requested assistance from India’s Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to aid in the ongoing inquiry into this case. The bureau’s involvement underscores the seriousness of potential cross-border wildlife trafficking and the need for coordinated action to protect endangered species.

At this stage, officials are focused on determining how the orangutans were brought to the area, the circumstances of their abandonment, and ensuring their welfare while continuing efforts to trace any criminal activities linked to the incident.