Indonesia Wildfires Injure Orangutans, Rescuers Respond

Fires across Borneo and Sumatra are causing habitat loss and injury for endangered orangutans, as a prolonged dry season intensifies the crisis.

Wildfires sweeping across parts of Indonesia, particularly Borneo and Sumatra, are affecting endangered orangutans. Rescuers are evacuating animals found injured or stranded amidst thick haze.

A young female Bornean orangutan, Novita, was among dozens of apes rescued in recent months. She was found in Central Kalimantan's Katune forest, clinging to a nearly leafless tree while dense smoke filled the scorched landscape, according to Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. Sihite stated Novita's hands and feet had burns, likely from crossing a burned area.

Novita, estimated at 3 to 4 years old, received oxygen and intravenous fluids before being taken to a rehabilitation center in Nyaru Menteng. Sihite expects she will be evaluated for release into her natural environment once her burns heal. He noted that other orangutans missing fingers have previously survived in the wild, offering hope for Novita's return.

The fires have worsened this year, driven by an El Niño event that has prolonged the dry season across Indonesian Borneo and parts of Sumatra. Firefighting efforts face water shortages, though Japan has provided assistance to the island.

Fires Affect Wildlife and Region

Not all rescue efforts have been successful. A male orangutan named Sampurna, believed to be around 20 years old, was found struggling to breathe by residents on a palm oil plantation in West Kalimantan. He died hours after rescue, Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry reported.

The Forestry Ministry stated that over 270 wild animals in Kalimantan have been rescued, rehabilitated, or moved to safer areas as of Saturday. Government data indicates more than 202,000 hectares of land burned between January and July. The independent Nusantara Atlas project, which monitors fires using satellite imagery, estimated nearly 896,000 hectares had burned by the end of August.

The fires also produce toxic haze, which has caused health issues in neighboring countries. Smoke has drifted as far as the Philippines, over 800 kilometers away. Malaysia declared an emergency in Sarawak, on its part of Borneo, last week.

Andi Muhammad Kadhafi, head of the Central Kalimantan’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency, emphasized that Novita’s situation illustrates the impact of forest and peatland fires on both wildlife and people. He noted the need for fire prevention, habitat protection, monitoring, and rapid response.

For those planning or operating jungle stays in Indonesia, understanding the environmental pressures on local wildlife and ecosystems is crucial for responsible travel and development.