Bhubaneswar, 30 September (H.S.): The rescued orangutans are adapting well to Odisha’s climate, with their health condition showing steady improvement, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said on Wednesday.

The Minister said specialist veterinary teams are conducting regular health check-ups of the orangutans and monitoring their condition round the clock. He added that their body weight has also increased.

“Odisha’s climate suits the orangutans. They are being provided special care and monitored 24 hours a day. Their weight has also increased,” Khuntia said.

He further said that DNA testing of the orangutans would be conducted soon to determine their place of origin.

“Contact has been established with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for the DNA test. Samples will be collected shortly and sent for examination. The report will establish which country the orangutans originated from. Once the report is received, the Government of India will also be informed,” the Minister said.

Khuntia said the DNA examination would help ascertain the origin of the rescued primates and provide clarity on where they had been brought from.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda