Baby orangutans face longer quarantine at Odisha zoo, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Five baby orangutans were rescued from a forest in Balasore, Odisha, in September, raising concerns about illegal wildlife trade.
• The orangutans are undergoing an extended 90-day quarantine at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Odisha.
• The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) advised the longer quarantine period as part of biosecurity protocols due to unknown health history and origin.
• Orangutans are listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and are classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Orangutan.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The standard quarantine period for animals in Indian zoos is 30 days, but it is extended for high-risk or highly protected species.
• The extended quarantine aims to prevent disease spread and monitor the health of the infant orangutans, whose origin and health history are unclear.
• Only caregivers and doctors are permitted to enter the quarantine facility to minimize external contact and potential contamination.
• A five-member technical committee of experts has been formed by the state government to oversee the health and management of the baby orangutans.
• The rescued infants showed signs of anemia, with two of three affected individuals gradually improving their haemoglobin levels.
• DNA tests are being considered to determine the exact species and geographical origin of the orangutans, which is crucial for conservation efforts.
• Public viewing of the orangutans will not be allowed until a final decision is made by the state government and other statutory bodies.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Central Zoo Authority (CZA): A statutory body in India responsible for regulating and overseeing zoos and their management.
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): An international agreement regulating trade in wild animals and plants to prevent species extinction.
• CITES Appendix I: Lists species threatened with extinction, for which international trade is generally prohibited except under exceptional circumstances.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: The world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.
• Critically Endangered: The highest risk category for wild species on the IUCN Red List, indicating an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.