Bhubaneswar, Sept 1: Good news for wildlife lovers! Tourists visiting Nandankanan Zoological Park will soon get a chance to see the five rescued orangutan cubs brought from Balasore.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida shared the information while speaking to reporters during her visit to Nandankanan. She reviewed the health and care of the five rescued orangutan cubs and enquired about their behaviour, diet and overall condition.
When will tourists be able to see them?
The five orangutan cubs were brought to Nandankanan on September 8 after being rescued from Balasore. They are currently being kept at the quarantine centre at the child-care facility near the zoo's veterinary hospital.
The cubs were initially fed powdered milk every two hours and kept under 24-hour medical observation. They were also found to be suffering from anaemia.
A technical committee formed by the PCCF brought in veterinary experts to oversee their treatment. Toys and swings were also arranged to keep the young orangutans active.
Health condition improves
The cubs have gradually shown signs of improvement. Their food intake has been increased, and they are now being given boiled vegetables such as carrots and beans.
The cubs are also taken out in the morning for exposure to sunlight. Blood samples are expected to be collected soon as part of efforts to determine their DNA.
According to officials, the cubs will be considered for display to tourists after completing the 30-day quarantine period, subject to the recommendations of the technical committee and their health condition.
More new animals coming to Nandankanan
During her visit, the Deputy Chief Minister also inspected the otter enclosure and watched the animals swimming and feeding on fish.
She said tourists will soon be able to see more new animals at Nandankanan, including kangaroos, wallabies and zebras.
Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia and PCCF Prem Kumar Jha also visited the zoo during the inspection.
