Indonesia relocates eight orangutans to safety following Borneo wildfires

Indonesian authorities and the wildlife rehabilitation foundation YIARI have successfully relocated eight endangered orangutans to the Batu Nyambu Protected Forest in West Kalimantan. The group, consisting of three mother-and-offspring pairs and two adolescent males, was rescued from various areas devastated by wildfires on the island of Borneo.

The relocation to the 23,000-hectare reserve was deemed a “necessary step” by YIARI CEO Karmele Llano Sanchez, as the animals' original habitats were no longer safe due to ongoing fire threats. The reserve was selected for its abundant food and water sources and its connectivity to other forest landscapes.

Between August and October, rescuers have saved at least 46 orangutans from the fires. The wildfires, intensified by the El Niño weather pattern and prolonged dry seasons, have also caused significant human health issues, including respiratory illnesses. One young orangutan, Novita, remains under intensive care after suffering severe burns while attempting to escape the flames.