TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry sees the impact of forest fires on the Bornean orangutan wildlife as a serious issue. It is aware that fire and haze have the potential to damage vegetation and reduce the availability of food, nesting sites, water sources, and habitat connectivity for orangutans.
The ministry does not deny the issue revealed by Geopix through its first monitoring results of forest fires in Kalimantan this year and their impact on the umbrella species, the Bornean orangutan. However, regarding the finding that 60 percent of the orangutan habitat was burned between June 1 and August 28, the ministry requested that the figure be examined and verified.
"Especially related to the data source, analysis period, habitat classification, hotspot confidence level, and the method of determining the extent of the burned area," said the Head of the Bureau of Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation, Ministry of Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, in a written message to Tempo on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
According to Ristianto, it is necessary to differentiate between hotspots and the verified extent of the fire. Nevertheless, Geopix stated that they used official government data in their analysis, namely https://sipongi.gakkum.kehutanan.go.id/, with all confidence levels.
However, Ristianto added that any indication of fires inside or around orangutan habitats remains a serious concern and will be followed up seriously. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry, through the Conservation of Natural Resources Agency and technical implementing units in Kalimantan, has reportedly increased monitoring in orangutan habitats, wildlife movement corridors, fire-affected areas, as well as plantations and settlements around forest areas.
According to him, monitoring and rescue operations are carried out together with regional governments, conservation area managers, conservation organizations, the community, and other relevant parties. In areas facing high risks, the frequency of wildlife rescue patrols has also been increased to daily. He mentioned that these patrols include educating the public about how to respond when encountering orangutans or other affected wildlife.
"The Ministry of Environment and Forestry also strengthens a 24-hour wildlife rescue call center." He mentioned that the public can contact the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) in West Kalimantan at 0811-577-6767, the Central Kalimantan BKSDA at 0811-5218-500, and the East Kalimantan BKSDA at 0821-1333-8181.
Ristianto says that any reports of weak, injured, trapped, or displaced orangutans will be followed up with an assessment. He said that the handling is tailored to the individual's condition and the level of threat at the location. "Evacuation is not the only option because anesthesia and relocation also carry risks," he said.
If the conditions allow, the team can conduct intensive monitoring or direct the wildlife to a safer habitat. "Evacuation and translocation are carried out if there is a direct threat, potential human-wildlife conflict, or medical considerations that require it," he said.
Prior to the case of the Sempurna orangutan found weak in Kuala Satong Village, Ketapang Regency, and eventually died, Ristianto said the Ministry of Environment and Forestry had also taken preventive rescue measures in Ketapang Regency. On August 21, 2026, a joint team evacuated and translocated three Bornean orangutans from around residential areas and plantations in Tanjung Pura Village, Muara Pawan Subdistrict.
"They were then released in the Gunung Palung National Park, in a habitat considered to be larger, safe, and with adequate food availability," said Ristianto.
Furthermore, Ristianto stated that the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency followed up on public reports of an orangutan passing through residents' plantations in Pemangkat Village, North Kayong Regency. The team was deployed to spatially verify, accompany the community, and prepare for further handling.
"This series of actions shows that prompt reports from the public are decisive in the success of wildlife mitigation and rescue," he said.
Ristianto mentioned that rescuing orangutans amid forest fires poses complex challenges. He said that access to the location is often difficult, while thick smoke limits visibility and the fire can move dynamically.
Other challenges include limited water sources, the vastness of orangutan roaming areas, as well as initially incomplete information about the position and condition of wildlife. Orangutans can also continuously move to avoid disturbance or search for food. "Therefore, every action must consider the safety of wildlife, the community, and personnel."
He stated that evacuations must be carried out by competent personnel, including veterinarians, and must follow animal welfare principles. The public is asked not to capture, chase, feed, or handle wildlife on their own if they encounter orangutans. "The community should keep a distance, secure the location, record the position of the wildlife, and immediately contact the BKSDA call center."
After the fire can be controlled, Ristianto said the Ministry of Environment and Forestry will encourage rapid assessments at priority locations, especially in areas with small populations, areas affected by fire, and potentially fragmented wildlife corridors. "The assessment includes the condition of vegetation cover, the availability of food and nesting trees, water sources, habitat connectivity, as well as the risk of repeated fires and human conflicts."
The assessment results are expected to be the basis for determining the form of recovery. Interventions can take the form of natural regeneration protection, enrichment of local food plants, open area rehabilitation, wildlife corridor restoration, relevant peat ecosystem restoration, as well as strengthening prevention of repeated fires.
However, the government's current priority, he said, is to control the fires, protect surviving habitats, accelerate the rescue of wildlife facing direct threats, and ensure post-fire recovery based on scientific data and collaboration of all parties.
Read: 5 Baby Orangutans Found in Indian Forest: What It Means for Indonesia
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