12 Proboscis Monkeys Die in South Kalimantan Forest Fires, Raising Ecosystem Concerns

The South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) has confirmed the deaths of 12 proboscis monkeys due to forest and land fires (karhutla) in their habitat in Balimau Village, Hulu Sungai Selatan (HSS) Regency. The fires occurred in the monkeys' habitat. According to the Head of BKSDA South Kalimantan, Agus Ngurah Krisna, the village head of Balimau reported approximately 60 proboscis monkeys in the area, but this population number requires verification through field monitoring after the fires. He stated that BKSDA received reports on Sunday (13/9) regarding proboscis monkeys affected by the fires in the Area of Other Use (APL) of Balimau Village. "So, there were approximately 12 proboscis monkeys, as well as one python and one king cobra, that were burned," he said. Besides the endemic Kalimantan fauna, Agus mentioned that the area is also a habitat for other wildlife such as lutungs and long-tailed macaques, whose presence is still being monitored by the BKSDA South Kalimantan team. The BKSDA South Kalimantan rescue team has visited the location to inspect the condition of the burned habitat, the extent of the affected area, and to ascertain the possibility of surviving animals needing rescue or evacuation. Checks revealed that the proboscis monkey habitat in the location consists of two separate areas, each approximately two to three hectares, separated by a road. One area is village land, and the other belongs to the community. Agus revealed that the forest fires occurred primarily in community-owned areas, with about 80 percent of the land burned, while village land remained unaffected. The proboscis monkeys that died were found in the community-owned area. He explained that both areas are part of the proboscis monkeys' roaming territory and serve as their movement paths, even though their habitat is fragmented and does not form a single, unified ecosystem. "Their habitat is indeed fragmented, so it's not one continuous habitat or a unified ecosystem, but rather separated," he stated. He conveyed that the limited habitat conditions, combined with strong fire and high winds, are suspected to have prevented the proboscis monkeys in the area from escaping the flames in time. BKSDA South Kalimantan has handled all proboscis monkey carcasses found by burying them. If there are indications of death due to other factors such as shooting, the carcasses will be taken for examination by a veterinarian. BKSDA South Kalimantan will further coordinate with local governments, village heads, and sub-district officials, and invite the community to protect the proboscis monkey habitat, which is a protected species. The community is also urged to monitor for any wildlife that may still require evacuation. "The BKSDA team is still checking the condition of the landscape and land status in the APL area to determine the next steps and ensure the condition of the habitat and wildlife affected by the fires," Agus said.