Foundation CEO Karmele Llano Sanchez said the orangutan fainted because it did not get enough oxygen.
“The orangutan got hypoxia because of the very thick smoke in the area,” Sanchez told Reuters.
Komara, the veterinarian, said the orangutan did not have any severe burn-related injuries. But it had breathing problems and had vomited.
“We suspected it was suffering from an acute respiratory infection,” he said, adding that the orangutan is around 20 years old.
At the palm-oil plantation, the orangutan lay on a net, appearing weak with its eyes closed. The veterinarian gave the orangutan oxygen through small tubes placed in its nose.
Sampurna received fluids through an intravenous drip, with a makeshift infusion bag hanging from a palm-oil frond.
The animal will be moved to a rehabilitation center to get more treatment, she said. It will be released back into the wild once it recovers, said Komara, adding that they have rescued seven orangutans due to fires so far.
Sanchez warned that the government must not only focus on containing fires, but prepare for the long-term effects on public health, forests and wildlife.
