Orangutan Rehabilitation Center Threatened by West Kalimantan Forest Fires
- 23 Jul 2026 17:28 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Forest and land fires near the International Animal Rescue (IAR) Indonesia Rehabilitation Center in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, have placed hundreds of rehabilitated orangutans under heightened emergency monitoring.
- A joint task force involving BNPB, BPBD, Manggala Agni, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police, IAR Indonesia, and PT MoPaKha is working to contain the fire, including water bombing in inaccessible hotspots.
RRI.CO.ID, Pontianak - Threats from forest and land fires approaching the Indonesian Nature Rehabilitation Foundation International Animal Rescue (YIARI) Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, have put hundreds of orangutans on full alert. Veterinarians and animal keepers are now tightening health monitoring and activating emergency response procedures to ensure the protected animals are safe from smoke exposure and the potential evacuation.
“The fire was detected on 22 July 2024 at Ketapang‑Tanjungpura Road Kilometer 5, Sungai Awan Kiri Village, Delta Pawan Subdistrict, approximately one kilometer from the IAR orangutan rehabilitation center,” said IAR Program Operations Director, Argitoe Ranting, in Ketapang on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
A joint forest‑fire task force from Ketapang Regency, comprising BNPB, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni fire brigade, the Indonesian Military (TNI), and the National Police, continues to fight and monitor the fire on site. The response has also received full support from YIARI and PT MoPaKha.
Preliminary monitoring estimates the burned area at around 15 hectares, although data collection is ongoing by teams in the field. BNPB has provided firefighting support through water bombing at several locations to reach hotspots inaccessible by land routes. This measure is part of an integrated effort to prevent the fire from spreading toward the rehabilitation facility and surrounding forest areas.
Argitoe Ranting said the safety of the orangutans and other animals at the rehabilitation center is the top priority. All animals are currently safe and remain under continuous observation by veterinarians and animal keepers.
“Since the fire was detected, our teams moved quickly to implement emergency procedures to keep the orangutans and other animals safe while supporting fire‑control efforts around the area,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
The forest fires also risk degrading air quality and disrupting forest ecosystems. Dry weather conditions and strong winds increase the likelihood of the fire spreading further.
Acting Head of Operations, Manggala Agni Fire Brigade Kalimantan X/Ketapang, Efendi, said handling fires around the orangutan rehabilitation center reflects a shared commitment to protecting forests, wildlife, and public safety.
“We urge the public not to burn land and to report any signs of fire immediately so it can be addressed as early as possible,” he said.
The joint team reminded residents not to clear land by burning and to promptly report any fire hotspots to authorities. Rapid response is essential to prevent fires from expanding and to minimize impacts on the environment and wildlife. ***
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