BKSDA evacuates 11 orangutans from threat of forest fires in Samboja

Samarinda (ANTARA) - The East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in collaboration with the Jejak Pulang Foundation has evacuated 11 individual orangutans from the threat of forest and land fires (karhutla) which are encroaching upon the Samboja Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) in Kutai Kartanegara Regency.

The Head of BKSDA East Kalimantan, M. Ari Wibawanto, stated in Samarinda on Thursday that an emergency status was activated at the Jejak Pulang Forest School on 1 September 2026 at 16:00 WITA to avoid the risks posed by thick smoke and flames.

Racing against time amidst diminishing visibility, Ari continued, all protected animals were safely transferred at 18:00 WITA on Tuesday (1/9) to a care enclosure facility at kilometer 38, Samboja.

Based on post-evacuation examinations, BKSDA East Kalimantan confirmed that the 11 individual orangutans are being monitored and are in healthy condition, safe from the impacts of smoke exposure.

He added that while in the temporary care enclosure, the orangutan rehabilitation process continues optimally, with the provision of food, activities, and enrichment to maintain the animals’ natural condition and behaviour.

“This evacuation step, accompanied by animal welfare monitoring, is a manifestation of our commitment to protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity from the threat of environmental disasters,” said Ari.