12 Proboscis Monkeys Die in South Kalimantan Forest Fires

The South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has confirmed that 12 proboscis monkeys died as a result of forest and land fires. The monkeys perished in their habitat in Balimau Village, South Hulu Sungai Regency (HSS).

According to the Head of BKSDA South Kalimantan, Agus Ngurah Krisna, speaking in Banjarmasin, the Village Head of Balimau reported approximately 60 proboscis monkeys in the area. However, the BKSDA still needs to verify the exact population through field monitoring following the fire that struck the protected species’ habitat.

The BKSDA received reports on Sunday (13/9) from South Hulu Sungai firefighters and local residents regarding the monkeys affected by the fire in the Other Use Area (APL) of Balimau Village. Additionally, a king cobra was also caught in the blaze.

“There were approximately 12 proboscis monkeys, as well as one python and one king cobra, that were burnt,” he stated.

Agus noted that besides this endemic Kalimantan species, the area serves as a habitat for other animals. Species such as langurs (locally known as ‘hirangan’) and long-tailed macaques are still being monitored by the BKSDA South Kalimantan team.

The BKSDA South Kalimantan rescue team has visited the site to inspect the condition of the burnt habitat, the extent of the affected area, and to ensure whether any surviving animals require rescue or evacuation.

Inspection results showed that the proboscis monkey habitat in the location consists of two separate areas, each measuring approximately 2-3 hectares and divided by a road; one area is village land, while the other belongs to local residents.

Agus revealed that the fire primarily occurred in the community-owned area, with about 80 per cent of the land burnt, whereas the village land remained safe from the fire. The deceased monkeys were found within the community-owned area.

Both areas, according to him, form part of the proboscis monkeys’ roaming range, as the animals use the area as a movement corridor, even though the habitat is fragmented and does not form a single, continuous ecosystem.

“The habitat is indeed fragmented, so it is not one single expanse of habitat or a unified ecosystem, but rather separated parts,” he said.

He mentioned that the limited habitat conditions, combined with a relatively large fire accompanied by strong winds, are suspected to have prevented the monkeys from escaping the flames in time.

BKSDA South Kalimantan has handled all the found monkey carcasses by burying them. If any indications of death due to other factors, such as shooting, are found, the carcasses will be taken for examination by a veterinarian.

BKSDA South Kalimantan is now coordinating with local, village, and sub-district governments, while inviting the community to protect the protected species’ habitat, alongside continuing monitoring for any animals that may still require evacuation.

“The BKSDA team is still checking the landscape conditions and land status in the APL area to determine the next steps for handling and to ensure the condition of the habitat and wildlife affected by the fire,” said Agus.