Black SUV, 55 CCTV Cameras: Probe Intensifies Into Odisha Orangutan Mystery

The mystery surrounding five baby orangutans found abandoned in a forest in Balasore is deepening, with investigators now following a trail of CCTV footage and a suspected black SUV. The five young orangutans were rescued from the Bichitrapur forest area and shifted to Nandankanan Zoo in Bhubaneswar, where they are now under quarantine and close observation. But beyond the trafficking investigation, the animals are also showing signs of anxiety. Officials say they appear to be accustomed to human contact, while their behaviour has fluctuated between being playful and showing signs of stress. Caretakers are now trying to make them feel safe and comfortable. The animals are being closely monitored, provided with proper nutrition and even exposed to soothing music, including classical music, as part of efforts to reduce their stress. Meanwhile, the investigation is gaining pace. The STF and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau have examined dozens of CCTV cameras along suspected routes, while a black SUV seen near the forest has emerged as a key lead. Investigators are trying to establish where the orangutans came from, who transported them and whether the case is linked to a wider international wildlife trafficking network. The case has also crossed international borders, with Indonesia contacting India over the possible repatriation of the animals. Authorities are now working to establish their exact origin, with DNA testing expected to play an important role. For now, the focus remains on keeping the five young animals safe — while investigators work to uncover how they travelled thousands of kilometres from their natural habitat and ended up alone in an Odisha forest