Bhubaneswar, Sep 10: Two of the five orangutans rescued from a forested area in Balasore district are undergoing treatment at Nandankanan Zoological Park, while the remaining three are in stable condition, an official said on Thursday.

Nandankanan Deputy Director Pradeep Mirase said one of the orangutans developed fever and is responding to treatment. Another young orangutan was found to have a worm infection following a stool examination and has been administered medication.

As a precautionary measure, the enclosure housing the animals is being disinfected regularly to prevent the possible spread of infection. Zoo authorities are closely monitoring the health of all five animals.

On the advice of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), DNA tests will also be conducted on the orangutans to establish their genetic identity and help determine their origin. Blood samples will be collected around 10 days after the animals make a complete recovery, Mirase said.

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 India.

Meanwhile, a joint investigation by the Special Task Force (STF), Forest Department and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) is underway to determine their origin and how they reached Odisha. Investigators suspect the animals may have been brought into the state from outside 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.

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