Three Bornean orangutans rescued from fire-affected areas in West Kalimantan

Three Bornean orangutans have been rescued from fire-affected areas in Kayong Utara, West Kalimantan, after being found outside their forest habitat.

The rescue operation was conducted on 12 September by the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI), Yayasan Palung, village forest management groups and local residents.

The three orangutans included a mother and her approximately one-year-old son, found in an oil-palm plantation in Penjalaan village, and an adult male discovered near a settlement in Padu Banjar village. YIARI reported the operation on its website.

The female, named Mama Penja and estimated to be about 20 years old, was found with burn injuries to her feet. Her son, Penja, was found with her. Both were described as thin and weak.

They were taken to YIARI's orangutan rehabilitation centre in Ketapang for medical treatment and observation.

Mother and son found in plantation

The rescue began after a local resident reported seeing an orangutan in an oil-palm plantation in Dusun Sinar Timur, Penjalaan village, on 10 September.

A joint rescue team reached the location two days later and found Mama Penja and Penja in a nest.

YIARI said both animals appeared weak and thin and remained largely motionless when the team approached. The rescuers used a blowpipe dart to sedate them before carrying out medical examinations and evacuating them.

Mama Penja was found with burn injuries on her hands and feet. The Forestry Ministry said she was treated with antibiotics and other medication after the initial examination. Samples were also collected for further medical assessment.

YIARI later reported that Mama Penja was severely dehydrated and anaemic. Her injuries included serious burns on both feet, with damaged skin.

The organisation said her condition was consistent with the difficulties faced by wildlife in fire-affected areas, although the exact circumstances surrounding her injuries require veterinary assessment.

Male orangutan found near settlement

After completing the rescue in Penjalaan, the team travelled to Padu Banjar village to respond to another report of an orangutan near a plantation and residential area.

The animal, an approximately 15-year-old male named Kumbang, was captured at 12.59pm on 12 September.

A microchip scan showed that Kumbang had previously been rescued in February 2022.

Veterinarians initially found him to be in relatively good physical condition. However, they detected an old lump consistent with a previous air-rifle injury and abnormal respiratory sounds. The Forestry Ministry said Kumbang also had a history of coughing and that his respiratory symptoms were suspected to be associated with exposure to smoke from the fires.

Kumbang was also transported to YIARI's rehabilitation centre.

The three orangutans are being kept under observation. Their return to the wild will depend on their medical condition, weather conditions and the safety of suitable habitat.

More orangutans rescued from fires

The three animals were among a growing number of orangutans rescued from fire-affected areas in West Kalimantan this year.

The Forestry Ministry said that, by 17 September, BKSDA West Kalimantan and YIARI had evacuated 23 orangutans from areas affected by forest and land fires. Other rescued wildlife included nine Sunda pangolins, three slow lorises, a proboscis monkey, a leopard cat and a grey langur.

Between 1 August and 10 September, the authorities and conservation groups had rescued 24 wild animals from 18 locations in three districts. They included 15 orangutans, six pangolins, a proboscis monkey, a slow loris and a leopard cat.

In early September, six more orangutans were rescued from plantations in Pemangkat village, Simpang Hilir district, including two mothers with their offspring.

Another female orangutan and her seven-month-old son were rescued from Sungai Awan Kiri village in Ketapang after their habitat was affected by fire.

Not all animals found in affected areas have survived. On 3 September, an orangutan named Sempurna died after being found severely weak and suffering respiratory problems in an oil-palm plantation in Ketapang. The Forestry Ministry said he was suspected of having been affected by smoke from the fires.

Fires threaten orangutan habitat

West Kalimantan has been among the provinces under close monitoring during Indonesia's 2026 forest and land fire season.

YIARI said fires continued in several parts of West Kalimantan in September and threatened wildlife and their habitats. Its teams, together with BKSDA, have continued monitoring areas where orangutans could be affected and responding to reports from communities.

The Forestry Ministry has said fires can force wildlife out of forest areas in search of food, water and safer locations. Authorities have advised residents not to attempt to capture or handle wild animals themselves and instead to report them to conservation agencies.

Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) are native to the island of Borneo, including Indonesia's Kalimantan region and parts of Malaysia. The species is critically endangered and protected under Indonesian conservation regulations.

The animals depend heavily on forests for food and shelter. When fires burn vegetation and alter forest habitat, orangutans can move into plantations and settlements, increasing the likelihood of encounters with people.