Wildfires Threaten Borneo Orangutans as Rescuers Evacuate Animals

Wildfires across Indonesia's Borneo region are threatening endangered orangutans and other wildlife as conservation groups rescue animals injured, trapped, or displaced by smoke and flames. International Animal Rescue, YIARI, and other groups have moved dozens of orangutans to safety as fires spread through critical habitats.

According to International Animal Rescue, its conservation center in Borneo was approached by fires within a few hundred meters, while 46 critically endangered orangutans had been moved to safety. The BBC reported the fires have spread smoke across Indonesia and neighboring countries.

About 2 million acres have burned in Indonesia this year, according to National Geographic. The fires have affected more than half of orangutan habitat, while the strong El Niño event has worsened dry conditions.

"When the fires really got a grip, they came worryingly close to our rescue centre - literally within a few hundred metres," said Gavin Bruce, chief executive of International Animal Rescue.

"The team there has just done the most remarkable effort," said Gavin Bruce, chief executive of International Animal Rescue. The charity said animals were moved away from danger as fires approached the facility.

"We are experiencing a very hot season," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI. She explained temperatures were five to six degrees above normal for the time of year.

Rescuers found orangutans suffering burns, dehydration, and respiratory problems. Novita, a young female orangutan, was rescued from a burning area in Central Kalimantan after being found in a tree surrounded by smoke.

"The sound of disaster," said Jamartin Sihite, conservation ecologist with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, describing the wildfire scene.

"We’ve had past fires, but nothing at this scale," said Cheryl Knott, an anthropologist at Boston University who has studied orangutans since the early 1990s.

"If the fires continue, especially in the primary rainforest, it’s threatening the long-term prospects of the species for survival," said Cheryl Knott, an anthropologist at Boston University.

"Imagine, you’re trapped in a tree, and surrounding you is fire and smoke," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation.

"That’s scary and stressful," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation.

"We hope she will be saved," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. Novita was treated at a rehabilitation center and had burns covering about 20 percent of her body.

"The devastation is enormous. The toll of dead animals is huge," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI.

"We were not prepared for so many rescues," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI.

"It’s been really tough and exhausting," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI.

"Orangutan habitat is also the area that people love to use," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. Land clearing for agriculture and other activities has reduced forest areas used by orangutans.

"We prepared everything to be ready if the fire comes to our area," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. Conservation teams prepared firefighting equipment and water supplies before the fires intensified.

"It’s a huge setback," said Cheryl Knott, an anthropologist at Boston University. Experts warned prolonged fires could affect orangutan survival for years.

"We live face to face with the orangutan," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation.

"The palms of her hands and the soles of her feet suffered burns that were likely sustained when Novita crossed a burned area while trying to reach a tree," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation.

"We have previously released orangutans missing several fingers and they were still able to survive in the forest, so we remain hopeful that Novita can eventually return to the wild," said Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation.

"Wildfires do not only affect humans but can also threaten wildlife and their habitats," said Andi Muhammad Kadhafi, head of Central Kalimantan's Natural Resources Conservation Agency.

In West Kalimantan, dried forest pools and increased salinity forced wildlife toward villages and coastal areas. Planet Indonesia recorded at least 16 dead animals from early August through late September, including several primate species.

"We have never had findings like this before," said Adam Miller, co-founder of Planet Indonesia.

"When the mangroves lose their fresh water, the animals die," said Adam Miller, co-founder of Planet Indonesia.

"It really is a serious crisis, a very serious one, because this problem will not get better if climate change isn’t given attention," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI.

"For animals that are found burned, it is certain that their condition was caused by the fire," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI.

"We also once treated an orangutan that had contracted an acute respiratory infection, or ISPA, and we were able to conclude that it contributed to the orangutan’s death," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI.

"So this is also a food security crisis," said Karmele Llano Sánchez, a veterinarian with YIARI.

"Many primates rarely come to the ground, so the stations had to work for animals in the canopy as well as on the forest floor," said Adam Miller, co-founder of Planet Indonesia.

"And any place where thirsty animals gather is also a place hunters can find them, so every station would go on the patrol route and someone would be responsible for refilling it," said Adam Miller, co-founder of Planet Indonesia.