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Mysterious Orangutans in India Spark International Trafficking Probe
14 Sep
Summary
- Five infant orangutans were discovered in Odisha's Bichitrapur forest.
- The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is investigating a potential international trafficking link.
- Orangutans are not native to India, strongly indicating a smuggling operation.
Five infant orangutans were recently discovered in the Bichitrapur forest of Balasore, Odisha. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has been tasked with examining the possibility of an international trafficking angle behind this unusual appearance.
Following an initial field visit, the WCCB is set to share technical expertise with the crime branch's special task force (STF). While the bureau does not conduct criminal investigations, its specialized knowledge of international wildlife crime and trade routes is crucial for the STF.
The presence of orangutans, which are not native to India, strongly suggests an international trafficking connection. Investigators are exploring various leads, and the WCCB's input is anticipated to help identify smuggling routes, methods, and potential links to known exotic species smuggling networks.
A four-member inquiry team from the WCCB was constituted by the ministry of forest, environment and climate change. This team is investigating the modus operandi, identifying smuggling networks, and analyzing similarities with other exotic wildlife trade cases. The findings are expected to provide critical leads in this unusual case.
