Three Orangutans Affected by Forest Fires Evacuated in North Kayong
The Ministry of Forestry, together with local communities and several conservation organisations, has rescued three individual orangutans affected by forest and land fires (karhutla) in North Kayong Regency, West Kalimantan.
The rescue operation was conducted by the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) through Regional Conservation Area I, alongside the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU), the Indonesia Nature Rehabilitation Initiative Foundation (YIARI), the Palung Foundation, and local communities via the Padu Bancept and Penjalaan Village Forest Management Institutions (LPHD).
The Head of BKSDA West Kalimantan, Murlan Dameria Pane, stated that community involvement is a vital component in the efforts to save wildlife affected by forest fires. “Community participation is essential in the rescue efforts of wildlife impacted by forest fires. Information from the public helps the team respond quickly so that animals can be immediately handled and receive treatment,” said Murlan on Thursday (17/9).
The first rescue took place in Sinar Timur Hamlet, Penjalaan Village. Reports of the orangutans’ presence were received from residents on 10 September 2026. A joint team subsequently moved to the location on 12 September and successfully evacuated a female adult, approximately 20 years old, named Mama Penja, along with her one-year-old male offspring, Penja.
An examination by YIARI doctors revealed burns on Mama Penja’s arms and legs. The team subsequently provided medical treatment and antibiotics, and took medical samples before evacuating both individuals to the YIARI Rehabilitation Centre.
On the same day, the team moved to Padu Banjar Village to evacuate an adult male orangutan reported to have entered plantations and approached settlements after the surrounding forest burned. The approximately 15-year-old orangutan was successfully evacuated at 12:59 WIB. Microchip scans revealed the animal is Kumbang, an individual previously rescued in February 2022.
Initial examinations showed that Kumbang is in a wild and relatively healthy condition. However, doctors found a lump from an old air rifle wound and symptoms of coughing, suspected to be related to exposure to smoke from the forest fires.
The three orangutans are currently at the YIARI Rehabilitation Centre for observation and medical management. Reintroduction to their natural habitat has been postponed until weather conditions improve and the forest area is confirmed safe from the threat of fire.
BKSDA West Kalimantan and YIAR noted that 23 orangutans have been evacuated so far. Additionally, the team rescued nine pangolins, three slow lorises, one proboscis monkey, one civet, and one dusky langur. The team continues to monitor wildlife in the burnt areas and maintains 24-hour medical standby.
Meanwhile, the number of high-confidence hotspots nationwide was recorded at 479 points based on monitoring until Wednesday (16/9) night, a decrease of 558 points compared to the previous day.
The Ministry of Forestry and joint teams continue to strengthen forest fire control on the ground, as the risk of fire and the impact of smoke persist in several regions, including affecting wildlife habitats.
The Ministry of Forestry urges the public not to capture or evacuate wildlife independently. If forest fire-affected wildlife is found, the public is requested to report immediately to officers, providing the location, the animal’s condition, and documentation if it is safe to do so.