Kalimantan Forest Fire Smoke Sickens 21 Orangutans

As many as 21 orangutans in Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) are showing symptoms of Acute Respiratory Infection (ISPA). The disease attack was suffered due to the thick smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla) that occurred in the Kalimantan region. "Our location is still safe from fire, but not safe from smoke. And that exposure has caused 21 orangutans here to show ISPA symptoms," said Jamartin Sihite, CEO of BOSF, in the Nyaru Menteng City Forest area, Kalteng, Saturday (5/9/2026). The orangutans are currently undergoing intensive treatment at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) rehabilitation center. Jamari added that his party has carried out various handling efforts to save these animals. BOSF also has six veterinarians who are always on standby to treat orangutans affected by karhutla. "So, we give nebulizers, we give vitamins, that is part of the effort to keep the orangutans safe," explained Jamartin. "We have six veterinarians in Nyaru Menteng, and so far it is still sufficient. But if needed, we will contact the Ministry of Forestry," he added. BOSF is not alone in handling orangutans exposed to ISPA. The rehabilitation center also coordinates with the Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA Kalteng). Head of BKSDA Kalteng, Andi Muhammad Khadafi, explained that his party, along with BOSF and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), will ensure that orangutans affected by karhutla will fully recover before being released back into the wild. "Because the principle is that all those in the rehabilitation center, when the time comes, when it is assessed that they are sufficient to be released, they will be released into their natural habitat later," explained Andi. Besides caring for animals affected by ISPA, BKSDA together with NGOs are also struggling to evacuate and rescue wild orangutans affected by karhutla. So far, Andi mentioned that five orangutans have been evacuated. Two of them are Raya and Rayu, a mother and child orangutan pair who were successfully evacuated from the encirclement of karhutla in the Sampit City Forest area, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan on September 2, 2026. Andi also ensured that the condition of the five rescued orangutans had now improved. In fact, three of them have been released back, including Raya and Rayu. "Raya and Rayu were translocated yesterday, Friday (4/9/2026). The other two will also be translocated today, maybe, anyway, if not today, then tomorrow," he said. "So all five, thank God, we rescued, we observed them to be healthy, mother and child are all healthy, ready to be released. So, thank God, five we rescued, all five are safe and can return to their habitat," he added. Read the latest and most trusted news on Berita Liputan6