One of the five infant orangutans kept in quarantine at the Nandanakanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has developed a fever. Officials stated that the animal's health is being closely monitored. These infants were rescued from the Bichitrapur forest in Balasore district.
Since Sunday, one infant has maintained a high body temperature. The fever subsides with medication but returns afterward. Currently, it is stable and under continuous medical observation, while the other four children are completely healthy and exhibiting normal behavior.
Recently, the zoo experienced a significant increase in visitors with the arrival of 58 new animals, leading to crowding in the quarantine area, although separate arrangements have been made for the orangutans. They have been placed in a temperature-controlled room equipped with special mosquito nets. Veterinarians are monitoring them around the clock. Experts speculate that the fever could be caused by stress, fatigue, or sudden environmental changes.
Orangutans generally prefer to live in environments like rainforests, and it may take them some time to adapt to a new setting. According to Aditya Acharya, head of the Wildlife Health Centre at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, fever monitoring in orangutans is conducted similarly to humans. When high temperatures occur, Paracetamol-based medicine is administered, and food intake is also restricted.
PK Jha, Chief Wildlife Conservator and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of the zoo, informed that three attendants and doctors are continuously caring for these infants. They are being fed milk every two hours, along with apple and banana juice and boiled potatoes regularly. This diet is provided according to a diet chart prepared by experts. To reduce stress, soft toys and swings have been provided to the infants, and music is also being played for them. The Odisha government has formed a five-member technical committee to look after these five infant orangutans, which will evaluate matters related to their welfare and maintenance and can consult national and international experts if necessary.
These five infant orangutans were rescued from the Bichitrapur forest in Bhograi block of Balasore district on September 8th and brought to the Nandanakanan quarantine center that same night. There are suspicions of international wildlife trafficking in this case, prompting the Odisha Police Special Task Force and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to intensify the investigation.
Officials say that the infants are receiving complete safety and proper care. Despite the feverish infant's condition being stable, caution is being exercised because these animals are foreign species, and their health status can be fragile in a new environment. Caring for these infants at Nandanakanan Zoo is a challenging task, but the team of officials and veterinarians is making continuous efforts so that all the children remain healthy. It is hoped that the fever will be completely controlled soon through measures to reduce environmental change and stress. This incident has drawn attention to both the issues of wildlife trafficking and the conservation of exotic species.