BKSDA and YIARI Evacuate Orangutans Due to Forest Fire Smoke
Pontianak (ANTARA) - The West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) together with the Indonesia Nature Initiative Rehabilitation Foundation (YIARI) have once again evacuated a mother and baby orangutan from Sungai Awan Kiri Village, Muara Pawan District, due to smoke from forest and land fires.
“The widespread forest and land fires in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, are once again threatening wildlife, leading the joint team to save a mother orangutan and her offspring,” said YISEC veterinarian drh Komara in Ketapang on Saturday.
He explained that the rescue was carried out after the fire moved closer to the location of the two animals, while the remaining habitat became increasingly limited and no safe passage for movement was available.
“The mother and baby orangutan had previously been monitored since mid-June 2026 in a local plantation area bordering a patch of forest,” he said.
As a preventative measure against the impact of forest fires on wildlife, BKSDA West Kalimantan and YIARI have increased patrols and monitoring in several high-risk areas since 1 September 2026.
“On Thursday (3/9/2026), the team arrived at the location around 06:30 WIB and conducted the evacuation involving YIARI veterinarians. The mother orangutan, aged approximately 20 years, was sedated before being successfully evacuated using a net along with her offspring,” he said.
The baby orangutan, a male estimated to be less than one year old, appeared active; however, the team found mucus and dried fluid around its nose, suspected to be related to smoke exposure.
Komara stated that prolonged exposure to smoke must be monitored closely as it has the potential to affect the orangutans’ respiratory systems, especially when smoke concentrations in the habitat are high.
“In general, no injuries from the fire were found on either the mother or the baby orangutan. However, the health condition of both will continue to be monitored while they are at the rescue and rehabilitation centre,” he said.
YIARI Program Operational Director Argitoe Ranting stated that in less than one month, BKSDA West Kalimantan and YIARI have rescued at least nine orangutans affected by the threat of forest fires in several locations across Ketapang Regency.
The Head of BKSDA West Kalimantan, Murlan Dameria Pane, has urged the public to report any sightings of wildlife affected by forest fires to the agency so they can be handled safely, while emphasising the importance of preventing fires to protect both wildlife habitats and human life.