Baby orangutans found in forest in India spark trafficking investigation
Native only to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, the rare apes were found thousands of kilometres away in Odisha state
TL;DR
- Five baby orangutans were found in Balasore district, Odisha, India.
- Orangutans are native to Borneo and Sumatra, thousands of kilometers from where they were found.
- Authorities suspect international trafficking may be involved, as international trade in orangutans is prohibited under Cites.
- The apes have been placed in quarantine at a zoological park.
- Orangutan populations are declining, with the Tapanuli orangutan classified as critically endangered.