Years ago, I experienced a memorable encounter with a young orangutan named Pinky at the Delhi Zoo. As she wrapped her strong arms around my legs, I felt an undeniable connection that has remained with me ever since.
This brings us to the troubling situation involving five baby orangutans—three females and two males—recently found deserted in a forest in Odisha. These young animals are currently being cared for at the Nandankanan Zoo near Bhubaneswar, as efforts are underway to prepare their return to Indonesia. The circumstances surrounding their abandonment raise critical questions: Were they part of the extensive wildlife smuggling network, destined for an illicit zoo, and left behind when the smugglers faced unforeseen issues?
In India, only Mysuru Zoo houses orangutans, with two pairs in residence alongside three male gorillas. Additionally, Vantara Zoo in Gujarat reportedly has an extremely rare Tapanuli orangutan, whose legal status is questionable due to its rarity. One might wonder what the future holds—could gorillas become the next household pets?
Globally, wildlife smuggling ranks as the fourth most lucrative criminal enterprise, trailing behind drug trafficking, arms dealing, and human trafficking, generating over USD 20 billion annually. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which India is a signatory, regulates the trade of certain species. Unfortunately, the provisions of CITES are frequently disregarded, allowing illegal wildlife trade to flourish.
Different nations have varied regulations, with some, like the United States, having distinct rules even within states. In India, keeping or trading species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 is prohibited, and special permits are required for importing exotic species such as rare birds. However, these regulations are often overlooked, leading to thousands of birds from around 100 species being crammed into unsanitary conditions during trafficking, resulting in high mortality rates.
The situation for reptiles is particularly dire. A 2021 study published in the UN Red Data Book indicated that out of an estimated 87 exotic reptile species traded in India, five are critically endangered, while nine each are categorized as endangered and vulnerable. Alarmingly, 98.6 percent of reptiles, including the popular ball python, imported from 1976 to 2018, went unreported to CITES Management Authorities.
Historically, private zoos have often been a status symbol among the wealthy and notorious, with figures like drug lord Pablo Escobar famously keeping lions and tigers. Some argue that private zoos can benefit both animals and humans by breeding endangered species in captivity for eventual release into the wild. Responsible institutions like Jersey Zoo, founded by naturalist Gerald Durrell, have successfully reintroduced species like the pygmy hog from Assam. Moreover, private zoos offer the public a chance to engage with rare animals, although many operate privately without public access.
Critics of private zoos contend that these establishments often fail to meet the animals’ nutritional, psychological, and social needs. Conditions are frequently overcrowded and unsanitary, fostering the spread of diseases, which can also affect humans—a reminder of the origins of Covid-19. Furthermore, capturing rare animals like certain parrots and eagles can further threaten their wild populations. The risk of escapees or animals released into the wild can lead to the emergence of invasive species, as evidenced by the red-eared slider turtle, deemed the ‘world’s most invasive species,’ now found in Indian waterways.
Initially, I was fascinated by these turtles during a visit to an aquarium in Goa, until I learned of their destructive impact. Similarly, the Burmese python, once a popular pet in the U.S., has become a menace in the Everglades, proliferating and disrupting local ecosystems.
Primates, including chimpanzees, baboons, and macaques, are often favored as pets. Although they may seem adorable as infants, they can grow into complex animals that pose dangers to their owners. Individuals who keep large carnivores as pets often face severe consequences when these animals unexpectedly revert to their wild instincts.
Even domesticated elephants can turn aggressive, particularly during periods of hormonal changes. While pet owners may feel affection for their animals, the question remains whether these animals reciprocate that affection or would prefer to live freely rather than be confined as a ‘Gorilla in your Guestroom.’
