Balasore baby orangutans housed at Nandankanan Zoo pending genetic tests
India
Baby orangutans rescued from wildlife traffickers in Balasore, Odisha, are now safe at Nandankanan Zoo, but getting them back to their Southeast Asian forests isn't simple.
Their return depends on advanced genetic tests to confirm where they belong, and for now, they're adjusting to life in captivity while experts figure things out.
Conservationists fear orangutans staying in zoos
Sadly, many rescued animals in Odisha, such as pangolins and elephants, end up staying in zoos instead of going back to the wild.
Conservationists worry these orangutans could face a similar future if the process drags on.
For now, though, a team of specialists, with help from Indonesia, is working to give these young primates their best shot at going home.