Who Is Sampurna, the Orangutan Rescued from Kalimantan Wildfire?
Who Is Sampurna, the Orangutan Rescued from Kalimantan Wildfire?
Reporter
August 31, 2026 | 02:48 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An adult male orangutan, weak from smoke inhalation, has been found in a community plantation by a joint team from West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the nonprofit Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia Foundation (YIARI).
“The orangutan was found in Laman Satong Village, North Matan Hilir District, Ketapang Regency, last Sunday,” said BKSDA staff Sarbandi in Ketapang on Monday, adding that the finding was based on a public report.
The orangutan was named Sampurna. He was reportedly suffering from respiratory problems due to exposure to the thick wildfire smoke that had enveloped his habitat for days.
“Sampurna was first reported by residents around 6:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB), limp and unconscious near a community-owned oil palm plantation,” he said.
A severe blaze broke out near the location a day before the orangutan was found. When the rescuers arrived on Sunday morning, the smoke was still quite thick, which is suspected to have affected Sampurna’s health.
“It is suspected that the wildfire forced the orangutan to move from their habitat to the plantation area,” he said.
In an official statement from the Ministry of Forestry received in Jakarta on Monday, West Kalimantan BKSDA head Murlan Dameria Pane warned that forest fires affect the movement and condition of wildlife. “Fires not only impact land cover but could impact the wildlife in the surrounding area. Therefore, monitoring animal movements in the fire-hit area is necessary,” said Murlan.
Meanwhile, YIARI veterinarian Komara explained that exposure to wildfire smoke poses detrimental effects on the health of wildlife, particularly the respiratory system.
“Forest and fire smoke contains various particles and substances that can enter the respiratory tract and disrupt lung function,” Komara said.
According to Komara, exposure to heavy smoke that persists over a few days can cause hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, among other respiratory problems.
“A thorough examination was conducted to determine Sampurna’s health, including possible damage or disorders to his lungs and other internal organs,” he said.
The orangutan had previously been monitored by the YIARI Orangutan Protection Unit (OPU) team on August 16, 2026, near the rescue site, but the orangutan was still actively moving around. When rediscovered on Sunday morning, the orangutan was in a weak condition.
YIARI Operations Director Argitoe Ranting said the ongoing wildfires have prompted the team to ramp up its preparedness, especially in responding to public reports regarding affected wildlife.
“Our YIARI medical and rescue teams are on standby 24/7 to respond to reports and take rescue action if needed,” said Argitoe.
Sampurna’s rescue adds to the list of orangutans evacuated by the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and YIARI due to the threat of forest and land fires throughout August 2026.
Read: Sumatran Orangutan Population Drops Nearly 20 Percent
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