Borneo forest fires threaten endangered orangutan populations

Widespread forest fires across Borneo and Sumatra are threatening endangered species, most notably the Bornean orangutan. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that these fires affect habitats housing approximately 52 percent of the Bornean orangutan population.

Beyond habitat loss, the resulting thick haze is causing physiological stress in wildlife. Orangutans have shown signs of fat loss despite increased food consumption, likely due to the high energy demands of fighting smoke-induced respiratory issues. Five species of gibbons in Sumatra and Borneo are also at risk from the polluted air.

While the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry has rescued 100 animals, including 53 orangutans, conservationists are calling for long-term preventative measures. These include peatland rewetting and stricter land-use regulations to prevent burned areas from being converted into settlements. The haze from these fires has also spread across the region, affecting Malaysia and Singapore.