Indonesian Orangutan Babies Found in India, Raising Concerns Over Wildlife Trafficking Routes

The discovery of five orangutan infants in India has intensified suspicions of international wildlife trafficking originating from Indonesia. Dwi Nugroho Adhiasto, a senior advisor on wildlife trafficking, stated that initial visual observations strongly suggest these orangutans are Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii), though official biological confirmation is pending. In recent years, India has become both a market and a transit hub for wildlife from Indonesia. From Aceh, protected animals, including orangutans, are reportedly transported by sea to Thailand. From there, they are moved overland through Myanmar and Bangladesh into eastern India, including states like Odisha and Mizoram. These regions commonly serve as transit points before the animals are sent to final buyers or international markets. Trafficking a large number of orangutans requires meticulous planning, including fast boats, holding facilities, and a network of receivers at various points. Adhiasto emphasizes the need to trace the entire trafficking chain, from those who capture the animals in the wild to the final recipients. He urges the Indonesian government to collaborate with Indian authorities on joint investigations and to focus surveillance on vulnerable smuggling routes, particularly the waters off Aceh. The sea route from Aceh to Thailand is widely known, and monitoring these detected areas and the movements of key individuals suspected to be part of this network is crucial. In a previous report on October 27, 2025, Mongabay Indonesia interviewed a caregiver for Sumatran orangutan infants held in an Aceh prison, shedding light on the realities of this trade. Source: Mongabay Indonesia