An inquiry has been initiated by the authorities in the Indian state of Odisha after five orangutans were found in a forest in the district of Balasore in the state. The authorities are currently attempting to trace an SUV that was caught on CCTV cameras in the area of the rescue mission. The orangutans had been initially found by some villagers who were perched in trees on the morning of Tuesday. An immediate alert was issued by the forest department about the orangutans.
Mystery SUV Spotted Near Forest On CCTV
The residents reported that they saw a strange black SUV driving along a road near the forest on Monday evening before the discovery of the animals. The black SUV was also caught on camera at the site. As per one of the police officers, identifying the SUV and then the owner may help provide key information regarding how these juvenile orangutans got into Balasore. According to STF DIG Vishal Singh, the inquiry into this case is now at the stage where the police teams are seeking information locally and from the wildlife wing of the central government of India.
Joint Team Probes Wildlife Trafficking Angle
A task force team consisting of the state’s Special Task Force and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is being formed. The forest and environment minister of Odisha, Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, has stated that the inquiry will examine how the orangutans reached Odisha and who can be held accountable for that matter. It was also stated by the minister that the animals are currently under surveillance in an air-conditioned place and the animals are in good health condition.
"An inquiry has been initiated by the authorities in the Indian state of Odisha after five orangutans were found in a forest in the district …"
