Mystery Deepens: Black SUV Key to Odisha Orangutan Trafficking Probe

The mystery surrounding the rescue of five baby orangutans from a forest in Odisha's Balasore district is intensifying, with police and wildlife authorities now searching for a mysterious black SUV seen in the area. Investigators suspect that an international wildlife trafficking network could be behind the presence of these great apes in the State.

The forest department rescued the five young orangutans from Bichitrapur forest under Bhograi block on the morning of September 8th. Following the rescue, a joint probe was launched by the Odisha Police's Special Task Force (STF) and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).

The rescued animals have been quarantined at the Nandankanan Zoo.

A key focus of the investigation is a black SUV reportedly spotted near Badapahi village on the night of September 7th, just hours before the orangutans were found. The STF has diligently examined footage from 55 CCTV cameras installed across Bhograi and neighboring Digha in West Bengal. A senior police officer confirmed that despite verifying vehicle movements from that night, no breakthrough regarding the SUV's identity has been made yet.

Odisha Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia highlighted the significance of the SUV, stating that villagers had reported seeing it in the rescue vicinity. CCTV footage from around 11:25 p.m. on September 7th also confirmed the vehicle's presence, though only its upper portion was captured, obscuring the registration number. Locating this "mysterious SUV" is now paramount for the investigation.

Adding to the intrigue, police have also recovered face masks from a black polythene bag found in the area. Authorities suspect these masks might have been used by those who released the orangutans into the forest. Local residents have denied any connection to the masks, according to police officials.

To prevent any disturbance or destruction of potential evidence, the forest department has restricted public entry to Bichitrapur forest.

Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Prakash Chandra Gogineni is leading the efforts to unravel this complex case. The probe continues as authorities work to dismantle what appears to be a sophisticated wildlife crime operation.

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