Bhubaneswar: Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia today said that efforts will be made to keep the five rescued orangutans at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar.

The five orangutans, rescued from two sections of the Jaleswar forest range in Balasore district, were brought to Nandankanan at around 10.30 pm on Tuesday. They have now been kept in quarantine, where their health is being closely monitored.

Veterinarians, wildlife experts and scientists of the Forest Department are providing the animals with necessary medical care and monitoring their condition and behaviour. Some of the orangutans are believed to be around one year old, said Khuntia.

The minister said the animals will initially remain in quarantine for a few days. Their health and behaviour will be assessed during this period. Further steps to keep them at Nandankanan will be taken after obtaining permission from the National Zoo Authority, he said.

Providing a suitable environment for the young orangutans will be a major challenge considering their age and natural lifestyle. Experts are being consulted to determine the appropriate arrangements for their food, accommodation, healthcare and other requirements, he added.

Meanwhile, a probe has been launched to determine where the orangutans came from, who brought them and how they reached Odisha.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Special Task Force (STF), Forest Department and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). Investigators suspect that the animals were brought from outside the state, as orangutans are not native to Odisha or India.

Authorities are examining possible routes and contacts linked to the movement of the animals. CCTV footage from airports and railway stations is also being checked, while investigators are looking into suspicious movements and other possible routes.

Meanwhile, a three-member STF team visited the spot in Balasore from where the orangutans were rescued. The team questioned local people and gathered information about different aspects of the incident as part of the ongoing investigation.