Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA) – East Kalimantan’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has detailed efforts to handle the appearance of a protected orangutan on a company road in East Kutai that went viral on social media.
“We have been intensively searching for and handling the orangutan on PT SHJ’s production road in Muara Bengkal, East Kutai, since July 2026,” BKSDA Head M. Ari Wibawanto said here Wednesday.
A joint team from BKSDA, the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP), and the company was deployed to the site from July 20 to 24, 2026.
Officials found the protected primate on July 22, but technical difficulties in the field caused it to return to the forest.
“Drone monitoring in late July detected several orangutan nests in an area with high conservation value,” Ari said.
A second operation was conducted from August 28 to 31 after another video of the wildlife appeared on social media.
The joint team resumed its search, gathering information from road users and checking the route used by company vehicles.
“The animals are strongly suspected of approaching the road because drought has caused several streams inside the forest to dry up,” Ari said.
The drought has forced orangutans out of the forest to seek drinking water and food.
As a mitigation measure, BKSDA has installed warning billboards and asked the company to provide water tanks along the animals’ corridor.
“We urge the public and passing motorists not to approach, feed, or disturb the animals,” Ari said.
He said responsible behavior by road users was necessary to prevent negative encounters and protect the endangered animals from traffic accidents.
Regular coordination with the concession operator is continuing to safely monitor the animals’ natural range, he said.
“Protecting wildlife is not only about saving the animals, but also ensuring humans and orangutans can coexist peacefully,” Ari said.
BKSDA East Kalimantan remains committed to regular monitoring to help preserve the orangutan population in the province.
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Translator: Ahmad R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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