Wildfires Threaten Orangutan Habitat in Borneo: Rescue Mission Begins

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:53:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Wildfires are destroying orangutan habitats; a weakened primate found in West Kalimantan is being moved to rehab while conservationists rally to protect the species.

Wildfires across Borneo are decimating orangutan habitats, leaving the critically endangered species stranded without food and water. In West Kalimantan's Ketapang district, a weak orangutan was found lying on the ground, prompting immediate rescue efforts. The wildlife foundation YIARI plans to relocate the animal to a rehabilitation center for treatment before releasing it back into the wild. Indonesia has intensified haze containment measures across six provinces to curb the spread of fires, but the crisis highlights the urgent need for stronger conservation actions.

Orangutans in danger as wildfires blaze through Borneo

A weakened orangutan was discovered lying on the ground in the Ketapang district of West Kalimantan, on Borneo island.

Indonesia has stepped up its efforts to contain haze resulting from wildfires across six provinces in Borneo and the neighboring Sumatra island.

The fires have razed a portion of the habitat that supports hundreds of orangutans, posing a severe threat to the species’ survival.

"The situation is quite critical," said Karmele Llano Sanchez, CEO of the wildlife foundation Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI).

Sanchez warned that the burning forests are “leaving the orangutans without any food or water.”

The rescued animal will be transferred to a rehabilitation centre for treatment, after which YIARI plans to release it back into the wild upon recovery.