Bhubaneswar: To unravel the mystery surrounding the five rescued orangutans housed at Nandankanan Zoological Park, zoo authorities have decided to send their blood samples to Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) for a taxonomic study to trace their place of origin and native habitat.The move comes nearly three weeks after the infant orangutans were rescued from a forest near Bichitrapur in Balasore district under circumstances that continue to baffle investigators probing a suspected wildlife trafficking network.According to zoo officials, genetic analysis of the blood samples could help identify whether the orangutans belong to a particular geographic population and provide clues about where they were sourced from before being abandoned in the forest.“We will discuss with ZSI to check if they have any genotype sampling of orangutans found in different habitats. The blood sample test will help match with the available genotypes of ZSI and ascertain the rescued animals’ native habitat,” said Nandankanan deputy director Pradeep Mirase.However, the sampling exercise will have to wait as three of the five orangutans are still suffering from low haemoglobin levels. Veterinary experts said their haemoglobin count is around 6.2, considerably below the desired level. Blood samples will be collected only after the count improves to approximately 9-10 to avoid causing additional stress to the underweight animals.The rescued orangutans are currently being housed in a controlled, air-conditioned environment at Nandankanan’s Hand Rearing Centre (HRC), where they remain under round-the-clock veterinary observation. Zoo authorities said the primates are gradually adapting to their temporary surroundings and responding positively to the specialised care being provided.Efforts are also underway to improve their nutritional status through a carefully designed diet and constant health monitoring. Officials said ensuring the animals’ recovery remains the immediate priority while parallel efforts continue to establish their origin and trafficking route.Former National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) member secretary Anup Nayak suggested that blood samples should also be sent to Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. “CCMB research institution maintains genetic records of zoo animals and could help identify specific genotypes, complementing the findings from the ZSI study and strengthening efforts to determine the orangutans’ parent habitat,” Nayak said.The findings are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation into one of India’s most unusual wildlife trafficking mysteries.