Orangutan weakened by wildfire smoke evacuated in Ketapang

West Kalimantan BKSDA and the Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia evacuated an adult male Bornean orangutan found weak in a resident’s oil palm plantation in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, on Sunday (30/8). The animal, named Sampurna, is suspected to have been affected by smoke from forest and land fires near its habitat. The team received a report from residents in the morning, then carried out a controlled sedation at about 09.13 WIB so the examination and evacuation could proceed safely. YIARI veterinarians provided initial treatment with oxygen and intravenous fluids. They also collected blood, feces and hair samples and fitted a microchip. In the area around the site, forested land was reported burning and no water source was available. BKSDA said smoke exposure and dehydration were suspected to have weakened the orangutan, though further medical examination is still needed.