The investigation into how five baby orangutans came to be found in a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district has moved beyond the state, with teams from the Special Task Force (STF) following a CCTV footage trail to Digha in West Bengal and onward towards Kolkata, with even the Coast Guard probing possible waterways through which the animals may have entered India.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kanwar Vishal Singh, who leads the STF, said similar cases reported across India are being referenced. The divisional forest officer (DFO), a two-member state-level investigation team, and a Crime Branch team reached the rescue site on Thursday.
Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Prakash Chand Gogineni had earlier said the orangutans could have ended up in the Odisha forest following a botched transit operation.
He also directed officials to ensure the rescued animals receive appropriate medical treatment, security, and necessary care in accordance with established wildlife protection protocols while the investigation is underway, the CMO statement said.
