Bengkayang, W Kalimantan (ANTARA) – West Kalimantan’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Indonesian Orangutan Rehabilitation Foundation (YIARI) have rescued six orangutans affected by forest and land fires in Pemangkat Village, Kayong Utara District.
“The six orangutans comprise two mothers and their offspring; and two juveniles, Mama Nopi and her offspring Nopi; Mama Noni and her offspring Noni; and juveniles Naufal and Nopan,” YIARI Operations Program Director Argitoe Ranting said here on Thursday.
The orangutans were found after forest and land fires cut off their routes to remaining forest blocks. They were rescued during two operations on September 4 and 8, 2026.
“Our concern is not only when fires approach orangutans, but also when fires cut off their access to forests. Trapped in plantations, they move from one plantation to another seeking food and shelter,” Ranting said.
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He added the situation increased risks to the orangutans’ safety and raised the potential for conflict with residents as the animals moved closer to human activity.
The six orangutans were found in community-owned plantations, with the fire located about 200 meters from the rescue site. The blaze had cut off access to their natural habitat.
As a result, the orangutans could move only between plantations in Pemangkat Village and surrounding areas while searching for shelter and food.
The first operation on September 4 rescued four orangutans, they were Naufal, Nopan, Mama Nopi, and her offspring, Nopi.
The team returned on September 8 after receiving a report previously about a mother and offspring in the same area. Mama Noni and her offspring, Noni, were rescued.
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Ranting said information about the orangutans came from joint patrols and monitoring by West Kalimantan’s BKSDA and YIARI, launched on September 1, 2026.
“The patrols monitor conditions and detect wildlife in areas at risk of being affected by forest and land fires,” he said.
The rescue effort was also supported by the Palung Foundation, Pemangkat Village Forest Management Institution, local residents and plantation owners.
During the rescue, medical teams used carefully measured doses of anesthetic to safely handle the orangutans and minimise the risk of injury.
Initial examinations found Naufal and Mama Nopi in generally good condition, without injuries or significant physical abnormalities. Nopan’s temperature briefly reached 40 degrees Celsius but returned to normal after treatment and intravenous fluids.
“Mama Nopi’s offspring, Nopi, is also in generally good condition,” Ranting added.
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An examination of Mama Noni, rescued on September 8, found the female was estimated to be 13-15 years old. Her nursing offspring was estimated to be only 1-2 months old.
Mama Noni’s temperature was 39.4 degrees Celsius and she was panting when treated. Medical staff administered intravenous fluids, oxygen and cooling compresses to reduce her temperature.
Noni continues to nurse from her mother after the rescue. The infant will be closely monitored because of its very young age and dependence on its mother.
The six orangutans were taken to YIARI’s Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for health monitoring and further treatment by the medical staff.
Ranting said patrols and monitoring would be intensified while forest and land fires continued, particularly where fires had cut off animals’ access to forests.
“Joint teams in the field are increasing patrols and responding to reports of orangutans leaving their habitat or entering areas threatened by fire,” he said.
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Translator: Narwati, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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