Odisha News Today

Bhubaneswar, Sept 9: Five orangutans rescued from Balasoredistrict have been shifted to Nandankanan Zoological Park here in Odisha , where they are currently under quarantine and undergoing detailed health checks, officials said on Wednesday. Wildlife veterinarians, forest officials, and scientific experts are monitoring their condition closely, providing necessary treatment and care, they added. The primates, some estimated to be around a year old, were brought late Tuesday night after being recovered from two sections of the Jaleswar range. Officials confirmed that the animals will remain in quarantine for several days to assess their health and behavioural patterns. Only after clearance from the National Zoo Authority will decisions be taken on their long‑term stay at Nandankanan. Meanwhile, a multi‑agency investigation has been launched to trace the origins of the orangutans, which are not native to Odisha or India. Authorities suspect they were trafficked from outside the country. A special task force comprising the Forest Department and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is examining possible smuggling routes and networks. CCTV footage from airports, railway stations, and ports is being scrutinised to identify suspicious movements. Also Read: Five Young Orangutans Rescued In Baleshwar, Trafficking Angle Under Probe Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said the inquiry will establish who brought the animals, from where, and how they reached Odisha. He acknowledged the challenge of creating a suitable environment for the orangutans, given their age and natural lifestyle. Experts are being consulted to design appropriate habitats, diet plans, and healthcare protocols. The case has raised serious concerns about wildlife trafficking and the need for stronger surveillance at transit points. For Nandankanan, the immediate priority remains safeguarding the health of the rescued animals while ensuring compliance with national zoo regulations.

Surat, Sep 9: A major fire broke out at the Shyam Sangini Textile Market in the Saroli area of Surat early Wednesday, prompting the deployment of around 20-22 fire brigade vehicles as firefighters battled intense flames and dense smoke spreading across the upper floors of the market, officials said. According to rescue officials, the fire control room received the first emergency call at around 12:52 a.m., following which fire tenders were immediately dispatched from three nearby fire stations to the location. Firefighters who reached the spot found the fourth and fifth floors of the market engulfed in flames, while thick smoke had severely reduced visibility inside the building, making it difficult for personnel to assess and approach the affected areas. Considering the intensity and scale of the blaze, a major fire call was subsequently declared, following which additional fire tenders were mobilised from other areas of Surat to assist in the firefighting and rescue operation. Surat Municipal Corporation Chief Fire Officer Basant Parikh said that firefighting operations were being carried out with the assistance of turntable ladders and hydraulic platforms due to the considerable height of the floors affected by the fire. "Around 20-22 fire tenders have been deployed to control the blaze," he said. "The textile market has double-height floors, which means that the fourth and fifth floors are effectively situated at a much greater height than their conventional levels. As a result, firefighters are having to conduct the operation at a height of around 20 metres," he added. Parikh mentioned that the electricity supply to the building has been shut off as a precautionary measure to prevent any electrical hazard during the firefighting operation. Also Read: Massive Fire Guts Two Shops at Unit‑1 Market in Bhubaneswar; Property Worth Lakhs Destroyed At the same time, he said that the heavy smoke inside the market has reduced visibility to almost zero, creating additional challenges for the firefighters working inside the building. "Firefighters are using breathing apparatus sets to enter the smoke-filled premises and reach the affected floors to tackle the flames," Parikh stated. The firefighting teams are continuing efforts to bring the blaze under control and prevent the fire from spreading further to other parts of the market or nearby areas. There have been no reports of anyone being trapped inside the building, and firefighting and containment operations remain underway, officials said. (IANS)