Three rescued orangutans in Odisha suffering from anaemia: Officials

According to a dietary chart prepared by experts, the orangutan babies are being fed milk every two hours, besides apple and banana fluids and boiled potatoes at regular intervals. | Photo Credit: PTI

Three of the five baby orangutans rescued in Odisha are suffering from anaemia, officials said on Wednesday (September 16, 2026).

A comprehensive health check-up of the primates, including X-rays and blood tests, was carried out after one of the juvenile orangutans developed fever, they said.

According to a health bulletin issued by the Nandankanan Zoological Park, where the orangutans have been quarantined, in-house haematology analysis found severe anaemia in one of the primates and mild anaemia in two others.

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"Supportive supplementation for the said orangutan babies, as advised by the Technical Committee, has already been started," it said.

"X-rays of the chest, abdomen and skull were taken, while blood, serum and nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected from all five animals. Laboratory tests are underway," it added.

Nandankanan Zoological Park Director Sanath Kumar N. said the overall health condition of the orangutans appeared to be stable.