Pontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Authorities rescued six orangutans from plantations in North Kayong District after forest and land fires cut off their access to their forest habitat.
“The rescue was carried out by the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) together with the Indonesian Rehabilitation Nature Initiation Foundation (Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia/YIARI) on September 4,” YIARI Program Operations Director Argitoe Ranting informed on Thursday.
The six orangutans consist of two mothers and their children and two juvenile orangutans, namely Mama Nopi and Nopi; Mama Noni and Noni, and Naufal and Nopan.
With the addition of these six individuals, the authorities had rescued 15 orangutans in the last month.
According to Ranting, fires not only threaten orangutans through fire and smoke, but also cut off the animals’ access to remaining forests.
“Our concern is not only the risk of fires reaching orangutans, but also the possibility that fires could cut off their access to the forest,” he noted.
He explained that this could leave orangutans stranded in plantations, where they move between areas in search of food and shelter, increasing the risk of conflict with people.
The six orangutans were found in a plantation owned by residents of Pemangkat Village, Simpang Hilir Sub-district, North Kayong, where a fire broke out about 200 meters from the rescue site, blocking access to the forest site.
Information on the whereabouts of animals was obtained from joint patrols and monitoring by the West Kalimantan BKSDA and YIARI. This activity also involved the Palung Foundation, Pemangkat LPHD, the community, and plantation owners.
In treatment, the medical team uses a measured dose of anesthetic to prevent injury. Naufal and Mama Nopi were observed to be in good condition, while Nopan experienced a body temperature of 40 degrees Celsius before returning to normal after receiving medical treatment and IV fluids.
Meanwhile, Mama Noni, who was estimated to be 13-15 years old, was found with her child who was estimated to be only 1-2 months old. Mama Noni developed a fever and rapid breathing, prompting staff to administer an IV drip, oxygen, and cold compresses.
Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, Murlan Dameria Pane, said fires disrupt animals’ access to food and their natural range. She then stressed that preventing forest and land fires remains the main priority and urged the public to immediately report any affected wildlife.
“Efforts to save animals affected by forest fires are a race against time,” Pane remarked.
The six orangutans are currently undergoing health monitoring at the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Release will be considered once environmental conditions are safe and suitable habitat is available.
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Translator: Rendra Oxtora, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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