Orangutan rescued from fire zone in Indonesia's Borneo, battles respiratory illness

An adult male orangutan named Sampurna was rescued Sunday after being found weak and unconscious at a palm-oil plantation near wildfires in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Farmer Jais found the animal at about 6 a.m. local time and alerted authorities. A joint team from West Kalimantan’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency and wildlife foundation Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia provided emergency treatment, including oxygen and intravenous fluids. Veterinarian Komara said Sampurna, estimated to be about 20 years old, showed breathing problems and suspected acute respiratory infection, while initial checks found no severe burns. Foundation chief executive Karmele Llano Sanchez said thick smoke caused hypoxia. Sampurna was transferred to YIARI’s orangutan rescue and rehabilitation center for further examination and treatment, with release planned if recovery succeeds. YIARI said Sampurna was the seventh orangutan rescued during August because of wildfire threats. Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry reported 202,010 hectares burned through July this year.