Bhubaneswar, Sept. 9 -- The Odisha government has sought permission from the Central Zoo Authority to keep the five rescued orangutans at Nandankanan Zoological Park permanently, Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia informed on Wednesday.

The five orangutans were rescued from a forest in Bhograi block of Balasore district and were later brought to Nandankanan in Bhubaneswar. The animals were initially kept in quarantine and underwent necessary health check-ups. They are currently staying in an isolated enclosure at the zoological park.

Speaking about their future, Khuntia said the orangutans are being kept with proper care at Nandankanan. He said the government has approached the Central Zoo Authority seeking approva...