Raging forest fire threatens more than 60 rescued orangutans at rehabilitation centre
- Hayley O'Keeffe
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
More than 60 rescued orangutans are under threat after a major forest fire broke out close to a rehabilitation centre in Indonesia.
Nearly 100 emergency personnel have been battling the blaze surrounding the Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in West Borneo.
Water-bombing aircraft have also been deployed to tackle flames in areas that ground crews have struggled to reach.
The fire was first detected at around 10am on July 22 along Jalan Ketapang-Tanjungpura in Ketapang, approximately one kilometre from the centre.
Preliminary estimates suggest around 29 hectares of land have been affected, although assessments are continuing.
Dry and windy conditions have heightened fears that the fire could spread towards the rehabilitation facilities and surrounding forest.
Dr Karmele Llano Sanchez, from International Animal Rescue’s Indonesian partner YIARI, issued an urgent appeal for equipment, personnel and donations as teams fought to protect the animals.
She said: “We are being threatened by a big fire at different points that are surrounding the rehabilitation centre.
“The fire started this morning, maybe around 10am, and it’s already nearly 4pm and the teams are still working really hard.
“It’s really thick smoke, and there are probably nearly 100 personnel here trying to stop the fire, trying to keep the area safe.
“But this is the condition we are suffering today, and we really need your help. We really need equipment and more personnel. And I really hope that people can help by donating.”
YIARI immediately activated emergency procedures, including firefighting, water spraying and intensive monitoring of the animals.
The organisation said all the orangutans at the centre were safe and continued to be closely watched by veterinary and animal-care teams.
A multi-agency operation involving Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, regional disaster officials, firefighters, the armed forces, police and forest-management personnel is working to prevent the blaze spreading.
The fire is also affecting air quality and threatening forest ecosystems and the habitats of other wild species.
Dr Simon Yosonegoro Liem, a microbiology specialist in Ketapang, warned that the smoke posed a serious risk to local people.
He said: “In addition to threatening the survival of forests and wildlife, smoke from forest and land fires also has serious consequences for public health.
“Those most at risk include children, older people, pregnant women and individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma.
“Exposure to smoke can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, worsen respiratory problems and increase the risk of acute respiratory infections.”
Argitoe Ranting, YIARI’s Programme Operations Director, said the animals’ safety remained the organisation’s highest priority.
He said: “Forest fires threaten not only wildlife and their habitats, but also the safety of local communities and the future of the forests that sustain life.
“Since the fire was detected, our entire team has acted quickly to implement emergency response procedures, ensuring that the orangutans and other animals remain safe while also supporting efforts to control the fire around the area.”
Efendi, acting head of the Manggala Agni Kalimantan X/Ketapang Operations Unit, urged members of the public not to burn land and to report any sign of fire immediately.
YIARI, a non-profit conservation organisation and partner of International Animal Rescue, rescues, rehabilitates and releases primates in Indonesia.
It has rescued more than 260 orangutans since its inception. Of those, 131 have completed rehabilitation and returned to the wild, with some subsequently having babies.
More than 60 orangutans remain at the West Borneo centre, where they are receiving long-term care, medical treatment or “forest school” training designed to prepare them for life in the wild.
People wishing to support International Animal Rescue’s work with YIARI and other animals in need can donate at:
