Three rescued orangutans in Odisha have anaemia
Health checks on five baby orangutans found at a zoo in India reveal three suffering from anaemia, while investigators pursue a suspected wildlife smuggling case.
In brief
Health checks on five baby orangutans found at a zoo in India reveal three suffering from anaemia, while investigators pursue a suspected wildlife smuggling case. Three of five baby orangutans rescued in Odisha are suffering from anaemia, discovered during health checks after one developed fever; the investigation…
Five baby orangutans rescued in Odisha
Five baby orangutans were rescued from a forest in Balasore district on September eight and brought to Nandankanan Zoological Park for quarantine and care.
Health checks reveal anaemia diagnosis
A comprehensive health check-up including X-rays and blood tests was carried out after one juvenile orangutan developed fever. In-house haematology analysis found severe anaemia in one primate and mild anaemia in two others.
Supportive treatment has begun
According to a health bulletin from Nandankanan Zoological Park, supportive supplementation for the anaemic orangutan babies has already been started as advised by the Technical Committee.
“Supportive supplementation for the said orangutan babies, as advised by the Technical Committee, has already been started.”
Overall health condition appears stable
Nandankanan Zoological Park Director Sanath Kumar N.said the overall health condition of the orangutans appeared to be stable.Four animals recorded body temperature of ninety eight point four degrees Fahrenheit; one male recorded ninety nine degrees.
Feeding schedule supports recovery
According to a dietary chart prepared by experts, the orangutan babies are being fed milk every two hours, besides apple and banana fluids and boiled potatoes at regular intervals.
DNA tests to establish origin
Blood samples are being tested for haemoglobin and white blood cell count. Samples will also be used for DNA testing to establish the origin of the rescued animals, which could aid the investigation into suspected…
Investigation stalled on smuggling case
The Odisha Police Special Task Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, jointly investigating the suspected international wildlife smuggling, have made no major breakthrough in the probe so far, officials said.
Calls for central agency involvement
Bhograi MLA Goutam Buddha Das of the BJD criticised the pace of investigation and urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to hand over the case to a central agency such as the CBI or NIA.
“Since there is an element of international smuggling involved in the case, a high-level and professional probe is most essential.”
State police defend investigation capability
BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said the Odisha Police Special Task Force was capable of resolving the case with assistance from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, calling the criticism politicisation.
The short version
Three of five baby orangutans rescued in Odisha are suffering from anaemia, discovered during health checks after one developed fever; the investigation into suspected wildlife smuggling has made no major breakthrough.
