Bhubaneswar: One of the five infant orangutans, rescued recently and housed at Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, is suffering from fever, with its body temperature fluctuating and remaining on the higher side, the zoo authorities said on Sunday.Veterinarians at the zoo are closely monitoring the animal and providing round-the-clock care to stabilise its condition. The animal’s temperature is being checked regularly and supportive treatment is being given. The remaining four orangutans are healthy and responding well to the care being provided at the facility.“The temperature of one animal is not showing signs of normalcy. Efforts are underway by our veterinarians to maintain it,” said Nandankanan deputy director Pradeep Mirase.The rescued primates are currently being kept in a quarantine enclosure, which has become relatively crowded following the recent arrival of 58 new animals. Despite the logistical challenges, the zoo officials said all necessary health protocols are being followed.Experts believe the fever could be linked to stress, fatigue and the sudden change in environmental conditions experienced by the rescued animals. The infant orangutans were recently brought to the zoo after being rescued from an uncertain situation in Balasore.According to wildlife health specialists, monitoring body temperature in orangutans is similar to humans and remains a key indicator of their overall health.Aditya Acharya, the coordinator of the Centre for Wildlife Health at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, said that in cases of high fever, veterinarians may use paracetamol-based medication and apply wet cloth compresses to help bring down the temperature. “When an orangutan develops fever, food is provided in small quantities but at frequent intervals to aid digestion and ensure proper nutrition,” the expert said.The zoo authorities are hopeful that the infant orangutan will recover soon.
