Bhubaneswar: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata has agreed to examine the blood samples of the five rescued orangutans through genetic analysis to uncover their origin. The development comes nearly two months after the infant orangutans were rescued from a forest near Bichitrapur in Balasore district under mysterious circumstances that have raised suspicions of an international wildlife trafficking network.The orangutans are currently in quarantine at Nandankanan Zoological Park.Nandankanan’s deputy director Pradeep Mirase said the zoo authorities had sought ZSI’s consent for genetic testing of the rescued primates. “ZSI verified recently that they possess molecular markers for various orangutan populations and communicated their consent through email. The matter will also be reviewed by the ZSI director. We are likely to send the samples within a week,” Mirase added.According to zoo officials, the genetic study is expected to help determine the geographical origin of the orangutans by matching their DNA profiles with existing genotype records available with ZSI. Such information could provide crucial leads to investigators trying to establish where the animals originated and how they were trafficked before being abandoned in the coastal forest.Officials said ZSI would examine whether its database contains genotype samples representing different orangutan populations and habitats. A successful match could help identify the rescued animals’ native range, offering valuable clues in the ongoing investigation.The scientific exercise comes as the orangutans continue to recover steadily at Nandankanan’s hand rearing centre. The animals, which were found to be suffering from low haemoglobin levels following their rescue, have shown significant improvement in their health.Currently housed in a controlled, air-conditioned facility, the primates remain under round-the-clock veterinary supervision. Zoo authorities said the animals are gradually adapting to their surroundings and responding well to specialised care, nutrition and continuous health monitoring.Experts have also suggested that blood samples be sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, which maintains genetic records of zoo animals. Officials believe findings from CCMB could complement the ZSI analysis and help build a clearer picture of the orangutans’ origin, strengthening efforts to trace the trafficking route and identify those responsible for the illegal movement of the rare primates.
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