Wildfires Threaten Orangutan Habitat Across Borneo, Officials Say
A weak orangutan was discovered on the ground in Ketapang, West Kalimantan as fires blaze through Borneo, prompting intensified haze-control efforts.
Authorities are battling wildfires that have spread across six provinces on Borneo and Sumatra, destroying parts of the forest that house hundreds of orangutans. In Ketapang, a frail orangutan was found on the forest floor and will be taken to a rehabilitation centre for treatment before being released. Karmele Llano Sanchez, chief executive of the wildlife foundation Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia, warned that the flames are leaving the primates without food or water, making the situation critical.
Why it matters
The fires endanger a critically endangered species and worsen regional air quality, affecting biodiversity and public health.
In this story
