A farmer in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, was on his way to his plantation when he came across a weak orangutan at a palm oil estate near a fire-affected area.
The farmer, identified as Jais, immediately sought help from local authorities together with other villagers after finding the animal in distress.
Around two hours later, representatives from the Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia arrived at the location with a veterinarian to treat the orangutan. By then, the animal had lost consciousness.
The orangutan was later named Sampurna, after the village where it was found.
Foundation chief executive officer Karmele Llano Sanchez said Sampurna, estimated to be around 20 years old, had been suffering from a severe lack of oxygen after being exposed to thick smoke.
“The orangutan suffered hypoxia due to the extremely thick smoke in the area,” she said.
The veterinarian treating Sampurna said the animal was believed to have developed an acute respiratory infection, although no serious injuries caused directly by the fire were found.
Initial treatment involved inserting a small tube into the orangutan’s nose to provide oxygen, while fluids were administered intravenously to help stabilise its condition.
Sanchez said Sampurna would be transferred to a rehabilitation centre for further treatment and monitoring.
Once it has fully recovered, the orangutan is expected to be released back into its natural habitat. Sanchez added that around seven orangutans had been rescued from fire-affected areas so far.
She also stressed that authorities should not focus solely on containing the fires, but must also prepare for their longer-term impact on public health, forests and wildlife.
