📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Mbrickn
International
Baby orangutan rescued in Dombivli sent back to Indonesia after two years
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 20 Oct 2026, 04:16 AM
👁 13
A baby orangutan that was rescued from Dombivli, Maharashtra, has been handed over to Indonesian authorities after nearly two years in India.
A young orangutan that was found in Dombivli, a suburb of Mumbai in Maharashtra, was placed under the care of Indian wildlife officials after its rescue. The animal spent almost two years in a rehabilitation centre before the latest transfer.
Indian forest and wildlife authorities coordinated with their Indonesian counterparts to arrange the repatriation. Officials from the Ministry of Environment, the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment oversaw the hand‑over, ensuring all legal and health protocols were met.
The return underscores the collaborative effort between the two nations to protect endangered species. Indonesia, home to the majority of wild orangutans, will integrate the youngster into its conservation program, aiming to eventually reintroduce it into a suitable habitat.
Animal‑rights groups welcomed the move, noting that the transfer reflects a commitment to responsible wildlife management and the importance of returning rescued animals to their native ecosystems.
Indian forest and wildlife authorities coordinated with their Indonesian counterparts to arrange the repatriation. Officials from the Ministry of Environment, the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment oversaw the hand‑over, ensuring all legal and health protocols were met.
The return underscores the collaborative effort between the two nations to protect endangered species. Indonesia, home to the majority of wild orangutans, will integrate the youngster into its conservation program, aiming to eventually reintroduce it into a suitable habitat.
Animal‑rights groups welcomed the move, noting that the transfer reflects a commitment to responsible wildlife management and the importance of returning rescued animals to their native ecosystems.