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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Environment & Climate

Orangutan Found Collapsed in Palm Plantation After Fleeing Kalimantan Fires

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Outcome reported
  • Rescuers found Sampurna, an adult male orangutan, weak and unconscious in a palm plantation in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, on Aug. 30, 2026.
  • Officials suspect forest and land fires pushed the orangutan from its habitat and that several days of dense smoke caused respiratory problems.
  • A joint BKSDA and YIARI team took Sampurna to the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for examination and treatment.

Sampurna, an adult male orangutan, was found weak and unconscious in a community palm plantation after fires struck near his habitat in West Kalimantan.

The orangutan was found in Laman Satong village, Matan Hilir Utara district, Ketapang regency, on Sunday. After receiving information from residents about an orangutan near the plantation, we immediately checked the site and found it weak.

— SarbandiThe conservation agency staff member described how authorities located Sampurna.

Residents reported the orangutan at about 6 a.m. on Aug. 30 in Laman Satong village, Ketapang regency. A joint team from the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency and the Indonesian Orangutan Initiative checked the site and found him in poor condition.

Staff member Sarbandi said a severe fire had occurred around the location the day before the rescue. Thick smoke remained visible when the team arrived, and officials suspected the fires had forced Sampurna to leave his habitat and enter the plantation.

Sampurna was first reported by residents at around 6 a.m. in a weak and unconscious condition near a community-owned palm plantation.

— SarbandiHe gave details about the orangutan’s condition when residents alerted officials.

The team evacuated him to the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for further examination and medical treatment. Veterinarian Komara said wildfire smoke can seriously affect wildlife, particularly the respiratory system, because particles and other substances in the smoke can enter the airways and disrupt lung function.

Wildfire smoke contains various particles and substances that can enter the respiratory tract and disrupt lung function.

— KomaraThe YIARI veterinarian explained the suspected health effects of the smoke.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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