Indonesia Prepares Repatriation Groundwork as India Probes Origin of Five Baby Orangutans

Indonesia has begun laying the groundwork for the possible repatriation of five baby orangutans rescued from a forest in Odisha's Balasore district, even as Indian authorities continue their investigation into how the critically endangered animals reached the country.

According to Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry, its Directorate of Species and Genetic Conservation wrote to Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General of Forests and Special Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and CITES Management Authority, on Thursday. The communication sought details about the incident, the species involved, the animals' health, the ongoing investigation and the collection of genetic samples.

Ristianto Pribadi, Director of Public Relations and International Cooperation Bureau in Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry, said the orangutans are suspected to be from Sumatra based on preliminary observations of their physical and morphological characteristics. However, conclusive identification would require DNA examination to establish their species, geographical origin, and whether they came from the wild or had been held in captivity.

Pribadi said Indonesia is preparing the technical requirements that may be needed for repatriation, including health examinations, quarantine arrangements, genetic identification, transport, animal welfare safeguards and post-arrival rehabilitation. He emphasised that Indonesia fully respects India's judicial and statutory procedures and will continue government-to-government and CITES coordination while awaiting the completion of the investigation and necessary judicial authorisation.

Awasthi acknowledged Indonesia's communication and explained that state-level forest authorities must first complete their official investigation, and any decision concerning custody, transport or transfer of the animals requires authorisation from the competent judicial court.

The possibility of an organised transnational wildlife trafficking network is being taken seriously, with Indonesia's Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement also roped in. Indonesia has sought information on the suspected trafficking route, point of entry, transit countries, documentation and preliminary investigation findings. Pribadi said that should evidence reveal persons, transactions, collection points or other links within Indonesian jurisdiction, competent authorities would follow up in accordance with national law and through international law-enforcement cooperation, though he noted it would be premature to identify particular individuals or networks before evidence is formally established.

Orangutans are native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia across Borneo and Sumatra, and are classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. They are listed under Appendix I of CITES, the over-50-year-old multilateral treaty that regulates global trade in wild animals and plants to ensure it is legal, sustainable, traceable and does not threaten species survival in the wild. Appendix I prohibits trade in endangered species.

Jose Louies, Chief Executive Officer of the Wildlife Trust of India, said it is not technically known exactly where the animals came from, but they could be from either Indonesia or Malaysia, and only DNA sampling can establish which population they belong to. He added that India has an opportunity to set an example and that it is the country's moral responsibility to take the right step and return the animals to their possible country of origin.