Bhubaneswar: Two of the five orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district are undergoing treatment at Nandankanan Zoological Park, while the remaining three are reported to be in stable health, an official said.

Nandankanan Zoological Park Deputy Director Pradeep Mirase said one of the orangutans has developed fever and is currently under treatment. Its condition is improving.

Another young orangutan was found to be suffering from a worm infection after its stool was examined. The animal has been given medicines for treatment.

The place where the orangutans have been kept is being regularly disinfected to prevent the spread of infection to the other animals, Mirase said.

The zoo authorities also plan to conduct DNA tests on all five orangutans. According to Mirase, blood samples will be collected 10 days after their full recovery. The tests will be carried out following the advice of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

The five orangutans were rescued from a forested area in Balasore district on September 8. Their presence in Odisha has raised questions as orangutans are not native to Odisha or India.

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

Meanwhile, a joint investigation has been launched to establish the origin of the animals, who brought them to Odisha and how they reached the state. The probe is being conducted by the Special Task Force (STF), Forest Department and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).

Investigators suspect that the orangutans may have been brought from outside Odisha, as the species is not native to the state or the country.