Context
Recently, the Odisha Forest Department rescued five baby orangutans being illegally transported in Balasore district. Since orangutans are non-native to India, the incident highlights the growing illegal trade in exotic wildlife and questions regarding their legal possession, international trade and repatriation.
Explanation
- Orangutans are great apes native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia, mainly Borneo and Sumatra.
- The three species are Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutans, and all are listed in Appendix I of CITES.
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulates international wildlife trade through Appendices I, II and III; Appendix I provides the strictest trade controls.
- India became a CITES Party in 1976 and implements its obligations through the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 strengthened India’s CITES framework, with CITES-listed species incorporated under Schedule IV.
- The Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024 require possession of Schedule IV live animals to be reported and registered with the designated authority.
- Repatriation of trafficked exotic animals generally requires identification of their country of origin, coordination with CITES authorities and confirmation that the receiving country can accept them.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
Orangutan Trade: CITES Rules and Wildlife Repatriation