When the Forest Burns, Yeye Faces Fire and Residents' Complaints

Orangutans are out, residents are losing crops

According to information from the Ministry of Forestry, BKSDA officers together with the Indonesian Rehabilitation Nature Initiation Foundation (YIARI) succeeded in evacuating 51 individual orangutans affected by the fire.

The rescue took place in the midst of a situation that was also difficult for the community. Losing food sources in the forest makes orangutans leave for local plantations. These animals eat and damage young plants, triggering panic and anger among garden owners.

Yeye said officers received many complaints about orangutans approaching settlements and eating residents' plants after their habitat was affected by forest and land fires.

"This extraordinary impact is not only on forests and animals but the community is also affected," said Yeye, as quoted in a statement from the Ministry of Forestry.

In such situations, animal evacuation and communication with residents become interrelated tasks. Yeye and his colleagues had to listen to complaints, face anger, and explain the circumstances that drove orangutans out of their habitat.

Residents face crop damage. Orangutans are trying to get food. Officers are between the two, trying to save animals while preventing widespread conflict.