46 Orangutans Evacuated from West Kalimantan Forest Fires

A total of 46 Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) have been evacuated and rescued from forest and land fires in West Kalimantan.

The West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Indonesian Initiative for Rehabilitation and Conservation of Nature Foundation (YIARI) said the orangutans had been rescued between August and 9 October 2026 during the fire season.

“At least 46 orangutans have been rescued from burning habitats. Providing safe habitats remains the next challenge for efforts to conserve this protected species,” said Murlan Dameria Pane, head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, in Pontianak on Sunday (11 October).

Of those, eight animals declared healthy began being relocated on 9 October to Batu Nyambu Protected Forest in Ketapang Regency. The move is the next stage after their evacuation from burned habitats, health checks and observation.

“Wildlife rescue efforts do not end with rescue and relocation. Both are part of a broader conservation strategy,” Murlan said.

The rescued orangutans came from several locations in Ketapang and North Kayong regencies. The fires destroyed forest cover and severed links between areas, leaving the animals isolated on plantations with limited food sources and roaming space.

Some orangutans survived in plantation areas where only a few trees remained. Mama Lifa and her infant, Lifa, for example, were found isolated among acacia trees on a plot of about 400 square metres surrounded by oil palm plantations in Pelang village, Ketapang.

Mama Man and her infant, Man, were evacuated from Tempurukan village, Ketapang, on 3 September 2026 after the fire approached their habitat. Four other orangutans—Mama Nopi and her infant, Nopi, as well as two adolescent males, Naufal and Nopan—were rescued from Pemangkat village, North Kayong, the following day.

YIARI operations director Argitoeranting said the selection of a release site must take account of food availability, water sources, roaming space and links to other forest areas. Batu Nyambu Protected Forest was selected following an assessment of habitat suitability and ecological carrying capacity.

The approximately 23,000-hectare area has primary and secondary forest cover and is connected to several other protected forests in the Arabella-Schwaner landscape. A 2023 survey found it to be a natural orangutan habitat with adequate ecological carrying capacity.

“Relocation is not the final solution. As long as fires continue and habitats remain under threat, rescue efforts must be accompanied by protection of the remaining forests,” Argitoeranting said.

YIARI chief executive Karmele Llano Sánchez added that several other orangutans affected by the fires were still receiving intensive treatment for burns, malnutrition, severe anaemia and other health problems. They need time to recover before they can be moved to safe and suitable natural habitats.

The head of the North Ketapang Forest Management Unit, Ya’ Suharnoto, said he hoped the relocation would be followed by regular patrols to secure the area, public outreach and the planting of trees that produce flowers and fruit as food sources.

“These steps are needed to support the orangutans’ survival after release and protect their habitat from future threats,” Ya’ Suharnoto said.