Balasore, Sept. 8 -- Five orangutans were found near Badapali village under Bhograi Block of Balasore Division in Odisha on Tuesday morning, prompting the Forest Department to launch an investigation into how the animals reached the area.

According to Balasore DFO Indalkar Pratik Prakash, forest officials received information from a VSS member at around 6 AM about five animals believed to belong to the monkey species.

"When our staff arrived and inspected the site located near Barpai village in Bhograi Block, they discovered that the animals were actually orangutans," the DFO said.

The officials found that all five were young and were not moving around much, though they were alert and active. The animals were initially provided food at...