The mystery about orangutans is all set to unraveled, the truth is expected to come to light soon. An investigation has revealed a West Bengal connection to the case. The STF team has detained three individuals from a hotel in Digha of West Bengal, and is currently interrogating them.
It has been learned that the hotel owner hails from the Howrah region of West Bengal. Both the hotel owner and his son are suspected of involvement in the incident. While they have been absconding since yesterday, the police are conducting raids at various locations to trace them.
Prior to the rescue of five orangutan cubs from the Bichitrapur-Badapahi forest in Bhograi, a black Mahindra Thar vehicle had traveled along that route. It returned from the forest area fifteen minutes later.
Authorities are now investigating the matters related to this black Thar involved in the mystery about orangutans. Additionally, another piece of CCTV footage regarding the incident surfaced yesterday. The CCTV footage clearly shows a black Thar vehicle passing by. the footage is reported to be from the Digha area of West Bengal.
It has been revealed that the vehicle arrived at 10:56 pm on the night prior to the orangutan rescue. The black Thar reportedly belongs to a hotel owner. Meanwhile, the site in the Bichitrapur-Badapahi forest where the five orangutans were rescued has been cordoned off with netting and declared a restricted zone. The Forest Department has set up a camp at the location, and forest personnel are maintaining a round-the-clock vigil.
CCTV footage from roads along the border is being examined. From Sumatra-Borneo to Balasore, which route did the orangutans take? The investigation is covering sea, road, and rail routes. Given Balasore’s proximity to the West Bengal border, some wildlife experts have raised the possibility that the animal was brought into Odisha via Bangladesh and West Bengal.
However, no evidence confirming this route has surfaced so far. Authorities have called for a comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the case. Including the route taken to reach Odisha, the identity of the person(s) involved, the intended destination, and whether an international wildlife trafficking network is behind the incident.
