Forest Fire Smoke So Severe It Caused an Orangutan to Collapse
Smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla) in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, is deeply alarming. The thick smoke caused an adult orangutan to be found unconscious.
According to detikcom on Monday (31/8/2026), the orangutan is named Sampurna. He was found unconscious in a community oil palm plantation in Laman Satong Village, Ketapang Regency.
Sampurna was discovered by local residents at around 06.00 WIB on Sunday (30/8). When found, the orangutan was already very weak and unconscious.
A joint team from the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Conservation Section Region I Ketapang and the Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) immediately headed to the location after receiving the report.
“This morning we received information from the community about the presence of an orangutan near the plantation. We immediately carried out a field check and found the orangutan in a weak condition,” said Sarbandi, staff of SKW I Ketapang BKSDA West Kalimantan, as quoted by detikKalimantan on Monday (31/8).
Sarbandi suspected that the forest and land fires caused Sampurna to move from his habitat into the community plantation area. A YIARI veterinarian provided oxygen and intravenous fluids because Sampurna was experiencing respiratory distress. Initial examination found no open wounds or burns on Sampurna’s body.
YIARI veterinarian Komara said exposure to forest fire smoke can have a serious impact on the respiratory system of orangutans. According to him, Sampurna’s condition points to a suspected disorder caused by smoke exposure.
“We still need to carry out further examinations to determine the extent of the impact on his health condition,” he said.
After receiving initial treatment, Sampurna was evacuated to the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Sungai Awan Kiri. Sampurna will undergo a comprehensive health examination, including to determine possible damage or disorders to the lungs and other internal organs due to smoke exposure.
Head of BKSDA West Kalimantan, Murlan Dameria Pane, said that fire conditions around wildlife habitats and roaming areas need attention because they can affect the movement and condition of wild animals.
“Fires not only impact land cover, but also have the potential to put pressure on surrounding wildlife. Therefore, monitoring the movement of animals in affected areas is also important. We appreciate the community report and the cooperation of all parties so that this orangutan could receive immediate assistance,” said Murlan in an official statement from the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut), as quoted by Antara on (31/8).
He explained that the evacuation was carried out by BKSDA West Kalimantan together with YIARI to rescue one adult male orangutan found in a weak condition in a community oil palm plantation in Dusun 1 Sempurna, Kuala Satong Village, Matan Hilir Utara District, Ketapang Regency, on Sunday (30/8).
The Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) team of the KSDA Region I Section of BKSDA West Kalimantan received a report about the orangutan’s presence at 07.27 WIB. Following up on the report, BKSDA West Kalimantan together with YIARI immediately deployed a team to carry out the rescue.
The orangutan had previously been monitored by the YIARI Orangutan Protection Unit (OPU) team on 16 August 2026 around the rescue location, but the orangutan was still actively moving around. When found again on Sunday morning, the orangutan was in a weak condition in the community oil palm plantation area.
At around 09.13 WIB, the team carried out measured sedation so that the examination and evacuation process could be carried out safely. YIARI veterinarians then conducted a health examination and provided initial treatment in the form of oxygen and fluids through an intravenous drip.
The medical team also took blood, faeces and hair samples to support further examination. In addition, a microchip was implanted as part of the identification and monitoring of the individual orangutan.
During the rescue process, the forested area around the community oil palm plantation in Kuala Satong Village was known to be experiencing fires that produced smoke. The team in the field also found no water source around the point where the orangutan was found.
Based on initial observations, he explained, the orangutan’s weak condition is suspected to be related to smoke exposure and dehydration. However, further medical examination is still needed to confirm the health condition and the cause experienced by the orangutan.
He confirmed that after the effects of sedation gradually wore off and the orangutan’s condition was deemed suitable for transfer, the team immediately evacuated him to the YIARI rehabilitation centre for observation and further medical treatment.
Regarding this matter, the Ministry of Forestry urged the public who find orangutans or other wild animals around settlements, plantations, or fire-affected areas not to handle them themselves.
The public is asked to maintain distance, not disturb or feed the animals, and immediately report their presence to BKSDA or local forestry officers.