KETAPANG (West Kalimantan): An adult male orangutan believed to have been overcome by prolonged haze exposure was rescued after being found unconscious at an oil palm plantation in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan, highlighting the growing toll of forest and peatland fires on wildlife.
The orangutan, named Sampurna, was discovered by villagers in Desa Laman Satong, Matan Hilir Utara, on Sunday (Aug 30) before a joint rescue team from Indonesia’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Foundation for International Animal Rescue Indonesia (YIARI) responded to the scene.
BKSDA in a joint statement said Sampurna is believed to have left his forest habitat after fires swept through the surrounding area, with thick smoke blanketing the region for several days.
“Early that morning, we received information from the community about an orangutan near the plantation. We immediately went to the site and found it in a weakened condition,” said BKSDA Ketapang Conservation Section officer Sarbandi.
Veterinarians from YIARI sedated the orangutan before administering oxygen and intravenous fluids after it showed signs of respiratory distress. Initial examinations found no evidence of burns or external injuries.
YIARI veterinarian Dr Komara said smoke from forest and peatland fires can have severe consequences for orangutans, particularly when exposure is prolonged.
“Smoke contains particles and substances that can enter the respiratory tract and impair lung function. Heavy exposure over several days can cause breathing difficulties and oxygen deprivation,” he said.
While Sampurna’s condition is consistent with smoke inhalation, Dr Komara said further examinations would be needed to determine the extent of any damage to the lungs and other internal organs.
The orangutan has since been transferred to YIARI’s Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Sungai Awan Kiri, where it will undergo comprehensive medical assessment before the next stage of treatment is determined.
Sampurna is the seventh orangutan rescued in Ketapang during August as forest and peatland fires continue to affect parts of West Kalimantan.
YIARI operations director Argitoe Ranting said the organisation had placed its veterinary and rescue teams on 24-hour standby as the fire season continued.
“Sampurna’s case shows that the impact of forest and land fires is not always visible through burn injuries. Smoke exposure alone can seriously affect wildlife, making early reports and rapid intervention essential,” he said.
