Three Orangutans Victims of Forest and Land Fire Evacuated in North Kayong, One Suffers Burns

KAYONG UTARA, GARISBUMI.com – Three orangutans affected by forest and land fires or forest and land fires were successfully evacuated from two villages in North Kayong Regency, West Kalimantan (Kalbar). One of them had burns on his hands and feet, while another orangutan showed symptoms of coughing which were thought to be due to exposure to smoke.

The rescue operation was carried out by the Ministry of Forestry through the Region I Conservation Section of the West Kalimantan (Kalbar) Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) together with the community and a number of conservation organizations.

The three rescued orangutans consisted of a female mother named Mama Penja, her child named Penja, and an adult male orangutan named Kumbang.

The rescue involved the Wildlife Rescue Unit Team and the West Kalimantan (Kalbar) BKSDA operations control assistance team, the IAR Indonesia Foundation, the Palung Foundation, and the Padu Banjar and Penjalaan Village Forest Management Institute.

Penja Mama and Her Child Found in Palm Oil Plantation

The first operation took place in Sinar Timur Hamlet, Penjalaan Village. The presence of orangutans in the oil palm plantation was reported by a resident named Ade on September 10 2026.

The report was forwarded to officers until the joint team moved to the location in the morning, September 12 2026.

The team then anesthetized and evacuated a female orangutan mother aged around 20 years along with her male child who was estimated to be one year old. The two were named Mama Penja and Penja.

A medical examination at the location found burns on Mama Penja's hands and feet. Doctors from the IAR Indonesia Foundation provided treatment and antibiotics and took medical samples before evacuating the mother and child to a rehabilitation center.

Beetles Coming Out of Burning Forest

After completing operations in Penjalaan Village, the team moved to Padu Banjar Village. The day before, the local Village Forest Management Institute reported the presence of an adult male orangutan that had entered the garden and approached the settlement.

It is thought that the animal came out because the surrounding forest area was on fire. On September 12 2026 at 12.59 WIB, the team succeeded in evacuating the 15 year old male orangutan.

A microchip scan showed the orangutan was Kumbang, an individual rescued in February 2022.

The beetles were found in relatively healthy condition and still had wild characteristics. However, the team of doctors found a lump from an old wound which was thought to be an air rifle bullet. The beetle also experienced a cough which was thought to be related to exposure to forest and land fire smoke.

Release Postponed until Habitat is Safe

Mama Penja, Penja, and Kumbang are currently at the IAR Indonesia Foundation Rehabilitation Center to undergo further observation and medical treatment.

The release of the three into their natural habitat cannot yet be carried out. The team is still waiting for weather conditions to improve and ensure that the forest area is free from the threat of fire Hotspots.

Forest and land fires not only threaten people's safety, but also destroy habitat and force wild animals to leave forest areas to look for safer places.

Based on monitoring as of Wednesday evening, September 16 2026, as many as 479 Hotspots with a high level of confidence were detected in Indonesia. This number decreased by 558 points compared to the previous day.

Even though the number of Hotspots has decreased, the Ministry of Forestry and the joint team continue to strengthen control of forest and land fires in the field. The risk of fire and exposure to smoke still occurs in a number of areas, including wildlife habitat areas.

A total of 23 orangutans have been evacuated

The West Kalimantan (Kalbar) BKSDA together with the IAR Indonesia Foundation recorded that 23 orangutans had been evacuated during the handling of wild animals affected by forest and land fires.

The team also evacuated nine pangolins, three slow lorises, one proboscis monkey, one civet cat and one gray langur. Monitoring of animals in the burned area continues, while a medical team is on standby 24 hours a day.

The Ministry of Forestry urges the public not to capture or evacuate wild animals independently. Handling without adequate expertise and equipment can endanger humans and animals.

People who find wild animals affected by forest and land fires are asked to immediately contact officers, convey the location clearly, explain the condition of the animals, and make documentation if the situation allows. The evacuation process must then be handed over to authorized officers.