The Newshound

Five baby orangutans found left on an Indian plantation 1,700 miles from home expose a booming illegal ape trade

Five baby orangutans at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, whose mothers were most likely killed, leaving infants who would normally cling to them for up to nine years.
Five baby orangutans at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, whose mothers were most likely killed, leaving infants who would normally cling to them for up to nine years.

Their mothers were likely killed, leaving infants who would normally depend on them for up to nine years. Villagers in Odisha, eastern India, found the three males and two females, aged six to eight months, in a casuarina forest in September. They were baffled by the apes' reddish hair and unfamiliar faces. Keepers at the Indian zoo now caring for them have reportedly been playing classical music to calm them.

The global illegal wildlife trade is estimated at $34 billion a year, with India a growing market.

Experts say seizures are a fraction of the exotic animals sold to wealthy Indian collectors.

MoreThe IndependentBaby orangutans found in India expose illegal wildlife trade as experts question billionaire’s zooAPBaby orangutans in India expose illegal wildlife trade as experts question a billionaire’s zooAPIndia emerges as major destination for trafficked orangutans and other endangered apesSouth China Morning PostDiscovery of baby orangutans in India exposes booming illegal pet trade
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