Orangutan Found Unconscious Amid Thick Haze from Kalimantan Forest Fires
An adult male orangutan was found weak and unconscious in a local oil palm plantation in Laman Satong Village, Matan Hilir Utara District, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan.
The orangutan, named Sampurna, is believed to have suffered respiratory distress after being exposed to thick haze from forest and land fires that had blanketed its habitat for several days. Sampurna was discovered by residents at around 6:00 a.m. local time on Sunday (30 August).
When found, the orangutan was already in a very weak condition. A joint team from the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Ketapang Region I Conservation Section, and the Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) immediately headed to the location after receiving the report.
Sarbandi, a staff member of the Ketapang Region I Conservation Section of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, said the team found Sampurna unconscious.
“This morning we received information from the public about the presence of an orangutan near the plantation. We immediately carried out a field check and found the orangutan in a weak condition,” Sarbandi said on Sunday.
He suspected that the forest and land fires had forced the orangutan to move from its habitat and enter the plantation area.
“It is suspected that, due to forest and land fires, the orangutan shifted from its habitat and ended up in the plantation area,” he said.
The joint team, together with a YIARI veterinarian, then provided initial treatment at the site. Sampurna’s condition is believed to be linked to exposure to thick haze that had covered the area for several days.
A day before the orangutan was found, fires were reported to have been quite severe around the location. During the evacuation process on Sunday morning, smoke was still visibly thick. To facilitate the rescue process and ensure the safety of the team, Sampurna was sedated.
A YIARI veterinarian provided oxygen and intravenous fluids because the orangutan was experiencing respiratory distress. Initial examination found no open wounds or burns on Sampurna’s body.
Komara, a YIARI veterinarian, said exposure to haze from forest and land fires can have serious impacts on the respiratory system of orangutans.
“Haze from forest and land fires contains various particles and substances that can enter the respiratory tract and disrupt lung function. In conditions of severe exposure, especially when the smoke is very thick and lasts for several days, animals can experience respiratory distress and oxygen deficiency, or hypoxia,” Komara explained.
According to him, Sampurna’s condition points to a suspected disorder caused by smoke exposure. However, further examination is still needed to determine the impact on the orangutan’s health.
“We still need to carry out further examinations to determine the extent of the impact on its health condition,” he said.
After receiving initial treatment, Sampurna was evacuated to the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Sungai Awan Kiri. Sampurna underwent a comprehensive health examination, including to determine possible damage or impairment to the lungs and other internal organs due to smoke exposure.
The results of the examination will serve as the basis for the medical team to determine the next course of treatment.
The rescue of Sampurna adds to the list of orangutans evacuated by the West Kalimantan BKSDA together with YIARI due to threats from forest and land fires throughout August 2026. Sampurna became the seventh orangutan rescued during that period.