Enviro News Asia, Pontianak — The Ministry of Forestry, through the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), has taken swift action to protect endangered wildlife from the impacts of the peak dry season and potential habitat disturbances by rescuing and relocating three Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan.
The rescue operation was conducted by a joint team comprising BKSDA West Kalimantan, Gunung Palung National Park, and the Indonesian Nature Rehabilitation Initiative Foundation (YIARI) in Tanjung Pura Village, Muara Pawan District, on Friday (August 21, 2026).
The three orangutans consisted of an adult female named Mamak Yuni, approximately 18 years old; a male infant named Pura, aged between eight and 10 months; and a juvenile female named Yuni, approximately eight years old.
Head of BKSDA West Kalimantan, Murlan Dameria Pane, explained that the orangutans had moved toward areas surrounding residential settlements and plantations due to changing environmental conditions during the dry season along their habitat corridor.
To prevent potential negative interactions with local communities and ensure the animals’ health and safety, BKSDA West Kalimantan carried out the relocation as a preventive measure.
“This evacuation is a manifestation of our commitment to responding quickly in the field. We are ensuring that the animals receive optimal protection in a large, safe natural habitat with abundant food availability,” Murlan said.
Before the relocation, veterinarians from YIARI conducted comprehensive medical examinations on the three orangutans at the site. The examinations found that all three animals were in good health, retained their natural wild characteristics, and were ready to return to life in the wild within a conservation area.
At 8:30 p.m. local time on Friday, August 21, the three orangutans were successfully released into the Batu Barat sector of Gunung Palung National Park after an integrated journey by land and river.
In addition to the Ketapang operation, BKSDA West Kalimantan also responded to a report from residents of Pemangkat Village, Simpang Hilir District, Kayong Utara Regency, regarding another orangutan spotted near local plantations on Thursday (August 20, 2026).
BKSDA officers immediately deployed a team to verify the location and provide guidance to the plantation owner. The agency also appreciated the community’s initiative in promptly reporting the wildlife encounter to the authorities.
BKSDA West Kalimantan is currently preparing a measured follow-up response to relocate the orangutan to the nearest suitable forest area.
The Ministry of Forestry has urged communities to remain calm and prioritize coordination and regular reporting through the local BKSDA call center whenever wild animals are found near residential areas. Such cooperation is considered essential to protecting both public safety and Indonesia’s biodiversity. (*)
