BKSDA and YIARI Rescue 6 Orangutans from Forest Fires
Pontianak (ANTARA) - Six orangutans were rescued from a local plantation area in North Kayong Regency due to forest fires that severed the animals’ access to their forest habitats.
“The rescue was carried out by the Ministry of Forestry through the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in collaboration with the Indonesia Nature Rehabilitation Initiative Foundation (YIARI) on 4 and 8 September 2026,” said YIARI Program Operational Director Argitoe Ranting in a press release on Thursday.
The six orangutans consist of two mothers and their offspring, as well as two adolescent orangutans: Mama Nopi and Nopi, Mama Noni and her child, Noni, and Naufal and Nopan.
With the addition of these six individuals, the total number of orangutans rescued by BKSDA West Kalimantan and YIARI due to the threat of forest fires in the last month has reached 15 individuals.
Argitoe stated that the fires threaten orangutans not only through flames and smoke but also by cutting off their access to the remaining forest areas.
“Our concern is not just when the fire approaches the orangutans, but also when the fire severs their access to the forest,” he said.
He noted that this situation leaves the orangutans trapped within plantation landscapes, forcing them to move from one plantation to another in search of food and shelter, which simultaneously increases the potential for human-wildlife conflict.
The six orangutans were found in a mixed plantation owned by residents of Pemangkat Village, Simpang Hilir District, North Kayong. Approximately 200 metres from the rescue site, a significant fire was burning, which had blocked the path to the forest block.
Information regarding the animals’ presence was obtained through joint patrols and monitoring by BKSDA West Kalimantan and YIARI, which commenced on 1 September 2026. The activity also involved the Palung Foundation, the Pemangkat LPHD, local communities, and plantation owners.
During the handling process, the medical team used measured doses of anaesthesia to prevent injury. Naufal and Mama Nopi were observed to be in good condition, while Nopan experienced a body temperature of 40 degrees Celsius before returning to normal after receiving medical treatment and intravenous fluids.
Meanwhile, Mama Noni, estimated to be 13–15 years old, was found with her offspring, estimated to be only 1–2 months old. The mother orangutan experienced an increased body temperature and rapid breathing, requiring intravenous fluids, oxygen, and compresses.
The Head of BKSDA West Kalimantan, Murlan Dameria Pane, stated that the fires disrupt the animals’ access to food sources and roaming space, making the prevention of forest fires the primary priority. The public is urged to report any affected wildlife immediately.
“Efforts to rescue animals affected by forest fires are a race against time,” he said.
The six orangutans are currently undergoing health monitoring at the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. Reintroduction into the wild will be considered once the environmental conditions are safe and suitable habitats are available.