Wildlife Becomes Victim of Forest Fires
Forest and land fires (Karhutla) in East Kotawaringin Regency (Kotim) are threatening more than just human safety. Wild animals in the surrounding areas are being displaced and losing their habitats.
Over the past two months, the Sampit Resort Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has received numerous reports regarding the appearance of wildlife in areas affected by the fires. From these interventions, at least five orangutans, including a mother and her infant, as well as a pangolin, have been rescued.
The Commander of the BKSDA Sampit Resort, Muriansyah, stated that his office received five reports regarding the sighting of orangutans in several areas, including Cempaga, North Mentaya Hilir, and Mentawa Baru Ketapang Districts.
“In the last two months, we have received five reports. When we received the reports and arrived at the locations, the orangutans in question were not found,” said Muriansuit, on Thursday (3/9/2026).
One rescue took place in Bangkuang Makmur Village, Mentawa Baru Ketapang District. The BKSDA Regional Conservation Section (SKW) II Pangkalan Bun team, alongside the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), evacuated two orangutans, a mother and her offspring.
“Both were found in trees after the surrounding peatland caught fire. This condition left the orangutans trapped in the middle of a habitat that had been disturbed by the flames,” he said.
In addition to the orangutans, a pangolin was also rescued. The protected animal was found by residents in the Bumi Raya 1 area and was subsequently handed over to the BKSDA via the Sampit Reptile community about a week ago.
11 Orangutans Evacuated
In Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, 11 orangutans were evacuated from the Jejak Pulang forest school within the Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) of Samboja. All orangutans were evacuated after an emergency status was activated as the fires began to spread towards the forest school.
The Head of Orangutan Care at Jejak Pulang, Siti Nur Badlyah, stated that the forest school serves as a rehabilitation centre for orphaned orangutans before they are returned to the wild. The forest school is located within a KHDTK area spanning approximately 3,517.53 hectares.
“Jejak Pulang focuses on the rehabilitation of orphaned orangutans. Our rehabilitation centre is located within the KHDTK forest area. The KHDTK covers about 3.5 hectares, while the area used for the forest school is about 130 hectares,” said Siti.
Siti noted that the threat of fire prompted the Orangutan Department team to immediately activate emergency status. All orangutan keepers were ordered to move the animals within the forest school to a safe location.
Similarly, the Head of BKSDA East Kalimantan, M. Ari Wibawanto, stated that the decision to evacuate the 11 orangutans was made after assessing the threat of fires near the rehabilitation centre. He explained that evacuation was the most appropriate choice given the fire conditions.
“They were evacuated. Based on a mutual agreement, this step was the most appropriate choice regarding animal welfare and safety, especially concerning the progress of the ongoing rehabilitation,” he explained.
Orangutan Named Sempurna Dies After Being Found Struggling to Breathe
Meanwhile, an adult male orangutan named Sempurna died after being found in a very weak condition with respiratory issues in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. The animal is suspected to have been affected by exposure to smoke from the forest fires.
Sempurna was found by residents in Sempurna Hamlet, Kuala Satong Village, North Matan Hilir District, on Sunday (30/8/2026) at approximately 07:00 WIB.
The Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, Murlan Dameria Pane, expressed condolences over Sempurna’s death. He also appreciated the residents for reporting the orangutan’s presence so that immediate action could be taken.
“We deeply regret that Sempurna could not be saved. Upon receiving the report from the community, the West Kalimantan BKSDA team, along with YIARI, immediately conducted an evacuation and provided medical treatment according to the animal’s condition,” said Murlan in a statement received on Thursday (3/9/2026).
When found, the orangutan was in a dry ditch within a resident’s oil palm plantation. His condition was so weak that he was unable to stand and could only move with great difficulty.
“Sempurna was also experiencing difficulty breathing,” said Murlan.
Residents reported the discovery to officials. The West Kalimantan BKSDA, alongside the International Animal Rescue Indonesia Foundation (YIARI), immediately carried out the evacuation.
The team provided first aid in the form of oxygen therapy and intravenous fluids before transporting Sempurna to the YIARI rehabilitation centre at approximately 11:30 WIB.
However, Sempurna’s condition continued to deteriorate. Around 14:00 WIB, his breathing became shallower, and his oxygen saturation could no longer be detected. The team performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
“The rescue efforts were unsuccessful. Sempurna was declared dead at 15:20 WIB,” said Murlan.