A 20-year-old orangutan found collapsed near a wildfire zone highlights the growing ecological toll of Indonesia’s haze crisis.
Indonesia’s wildfire crisis is taking a growing toll beyond human communities. In West Kalimantan, an orangutan found severely weakened near a burning area is now receiving emergency treatment, offering a stark example of how smoke and habitat destruction are threatening Borneo’s wildlife.
Orangutan Found Weak Near Fire Zone
A farmer named Jais discovered the orangutan on August 30 at a palm oil plantation near a wildfire zone in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, one of the provinces heavily affected by Indonesia’s forest and land fires. The animal was extremely weak and later lost consciousness before rescuers from Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia arrived with veterinary assistance about two hours after it was discovered.
Sampurna Diagnosed With Respiratory Infection
The orangutan, subsequently named Sampurna after the village where it was found, is estimated to be around 20 years old. Veterinarian Komara said Sampurna had no severe burns but was experiencing breathing difficulties and vomiting. Rescuers suspected an acute respiratory infection after the animal experienced hypoxia, possibly caused by inhaling thick wildfire smoke.
Oxygen and Fluids Help Stabilize Animal
Veterinarians provided Sampurna with oxygen through tubes placed in its nose and administered intravenous fluids while treating the weakened ape at the plantation. Once its condition improves, Sampurna is expected to be transferred to a rehabilitation center for further treatment before eventually being released back into the wild.
Seven Orangutans Rescued From Fires
Sampurna is not an isolated case. Rescuers said they have now saved seven orangutans because of the fires, demonstrating how the wildfire emergency is affecting animals as well as people. More than 202,000 hectares of land burned across Indonesia between January and July 2026, while smoke has contributed to respiratory illnesses and disruptions across parts of Sumatra and Borneo.
Wildfire Crisis Demands Long-Term Response
Karmele Llano Sanchez, chief executive of the wildlife foundation involved in Sampurna’s rescue, warned that Indonesia must prepare for the long-term consequences of the fires for forests, wildlife and human health rather than focusing solely on extinguishing flames. For Indonesians, protecting Borneo’s orangutans means safeguarding one of the country’s most important species and ecosystems. For Singaporeans, successful wildfire prevention in Indonesia also matters because smoke from major fires can contribute to transboundary haze across Southeast Asia.
Sampurna’s rescue illustrates the wider environmental cost of Indonesia’s wildfire emergency. While the orangutan may eventually return to the forest, repeated rescues show that wildlife will remain vulnerable as long as fires, smoke and habitat pressures persist. Stronger fire prevention and habitat protection are therefore critical for Indonesia’s biodiversity while also helping reduce haze risks for neighboring Singapore and Malaysia.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Reuters (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia Wildfires, Borneo Orangutan, Sampurna Orangutan, West Kalimantan Fires, Wildlife Conservation, Indonesia Haze
