Protecting Proboscis Monkeys Amidst Forest and Land Fire Threats

A proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) perches on a tree as officers from the South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) conduct patrols of proboscis monkey and other wildlife habitats in the Preservation Area, Panjaratan Village, Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan, on Saturday (5/9/2026).

Patrols and monitoring have been tightened due to the rising risk of forest and land fires (karhutla) during the dry season. These efforts are being undertaken to anticipate the impact of fires on the ecosystem and to ensure that wildlife remains within safe habitats.

The proboscis monkey is an endemic species of Kalimantan that is protected and relies on the existence of wetland forest habitats to survive. Habitat destruction remains one of the serious threats to the continued existence of the species’ population.

Amidst the increasing threat of forest and land fires in several areas of South Kalimantan, habitat monitoring has become a vital component of efforts to preserve the ecosystem and protect wildlife from the impacts of fire.