Baby orangutans to undergo longer quarantine at Odisha’s Nandankanan Zoo

Five baby orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha’s Balasore district will remain under quarantine at the Nandankanan Zoological Park for a longer period as officials continue to monitor their health and well-being.

The five animals were rescued from the forests of Balasore in September amid concerns over possible smuggling. Following their rescue, they were brought to Nandankanan, where zoo authorities have been keeping them under close observation.

According to officials, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has advised that the five infant orangutans remain in quarantine for 90 days. The measure is part of the biosecurity protocols followed for animals entering zoological facilities.

Biosecurity measures are designed to prevent, control and stop the spread of diseases among animal populations. For young animals such as the rescued orangutans, close monitoring during the quarantine period is particularly important as officials assess their physical condition and development.

Nandankanan officials said the priority during the quarantine period is to ensure that the infant orangutans receive appropriate healthcare and management.

The CZA has also advised that access to the quarantine facility be restricted. According to the zoo, only designated caregivers and doctors should enter the area where the five orangutans are being kept.

The restricted access is intended to strengthen biosecurity and minimise the possibility of disease transmission. Limiting the number of people coming into contact with the animals can help officials maintain controlled conditions inside the quarantine facility.

During their stay, the orangutans will remain under close observation. Zoo officials will monitor their health as well as their behaviour and development. Such monitoring will allow the caregivers and veterinary team to identify any health concerns and respond appropriately.

The animals’ rescue in Balasore had raised concerns because of the circumstances in which they were found. They were subsequently shifted to Nandankanan for care and observation.

The extended quarantine means that the infant orangutans will not immediately be moved into other areas of the zoo. Instead, they will remain in the designated quarantine facility until the prescribed period is completed and officials are satisfied with their condition.

Zoo authorities are expected to continue providing care to the animals throughout this period while maintaining the biosecurity measures advised by the Central Zoo Authority.

The 90-day quarantine also gives officials time to observe how the rescued animals respond to their new surroundings and management. Their behaviour, health and development will remain important factors during their stay.

For now, Nandankanan officials have emphasised the welfare of the five infant orangutans. The zoo's priority is to provide them with proper healthcare and management while ensuring that the quarantine facility remains protected against potential disease transmission.

The case highlights the importance of careful quarantine procedures when rescued wildlife is brought into a zoo or other managed facility. For the five baby orangutans, the next several weeks will therefore be focused on health monitoring, controlled care and ensuring their well-being under veterinary supervision.