60 Orangutans Moved Into Central Enclosures as Wildfire Reached an Indonesian Center

Staff at an orangutan rehabilitation center in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, moved 60 resident orangutans into central enclosures after wildfire approached the facility. The animals were not reported evacuated from the property. They were consolidated where teams could monitor them and respond more quickly if fire conditions worsened.

The fire moved from a distant warning to the center's edge

The fire was first detected on July 22 about one kilometer from the center run by Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia, or YIARI. Mongabay reported that flames later reached the edge of the rehabilitation area. The Guardian described the closest approach as within roughly 100 meters of the boundary.

Peatland fires are difficult to contain because heat can persist below the surface and reappear away from visible flames. Smoke also creates a separate health concern for both people and orangutans, even when fire has not entered an enclosure.

A response built around access, water and observation

Nearly 100 people participated across the response described by the reports, including YIARI staff and government, military and police personnel. Teams cut access routes, worked fire lines and used water on the ground. Indonesian public broadcaster RRI reported that national disaster officials also deployed water bombing aircraft in the Ketapang area.

Moving the orangutans into central enclosures reduced the number of locations staff had to defend and observe. It also avoided the risks of a rushed long distance transport while roads, air quality and fire behavior remained uncertain. That was a site specific emergency decision, not a general evacuation rule for wildlife facilities.

Stabilized did not mean finished

By August 13, the immediate situation was described as stabilized. Crews had kept the fire from entering the core rehabilitation area, and no orangutan deaths were reported. Yet the region remained in its dry season, leaving the possibility of renewed hotspots and continued smoke.

The episode parallels the operational challenge in Buddylio's coverage of animals evacuated during the Athens wildfires, but the safest response differed. In Greece, many domestic animals could be transported away. In Kalimantan, teams protected a specialist rehabilitation site holding wild primates whose care and containment cannot be improvised.

Why the rehabilitation center matters

The orangutans at the center include animals rescued from trafficking and other human caused harm. Rehabilitation is a long process intended, when possible, to prepare an animal for return to suitable habitat. A fire can threaten years of medical care, behavioral recovery and preparation at once, which is why the operation focused on both immediate suppression and continued monitoring.

The reviewed sources support the dates, distance, response and number of orangutans moved. They do not support claims that all animals were released, permanently relocated or physically injured, so this account does not make those assertions.

How we reported this: Buddylio reviewed the named sources, checked the organizations and figures shown above, and added context for animal lovers. Any illustration is labeled and does not depict the actual animals or scene. Articles are editorial content, not veterinary advice.