Dozens of Critically Endangered Orangutans Rescued from Indonesian Wildfires

Dozens of critically endangered orangutans have been rescued from wildfires in Indonesia, primarily in Kalimantan, due to habitat destruction exacerbated by a super El Nino weather pattern. Rescue efforts are ongoing to rehabilitate affected orangutans.

What happened

• Rescuers in Indonesia have saved dozens of critically endangered orangutans from wildfires.
• Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, stated that vast swathes of orangutan habitat are burning, with more than 50 to 60 percent potentially impacted by the smoke.
• Rescue agencies have pulled dozens of orangutans from danger, including mothers with infants and young males.
• A 5-year-old female orangutan, Novita, was found surrounded by smoke and flame and treated with a nebulizer.
• West Kalimantan conservation agencies and YIARI evacuated 51 orangutans from the province between August 6 and October 19.
• Figures suggest as many as 96 orangutans have been rescued in Kalimantan over recent months.
• Wendy Erb, a biological anthropologist, extended her stay in Borneo in 2015 to study orangutans during a similar fire season.
• Singapore experienced unhealthy air levels due to the haze, with pollution levels remaining elevated since mid-August.
• The situation is linked to a super El Nino weather phenomenon, which has reduced rainfall and fueled the fires.
• The transport ministry reported around 2,400 flights affected by the haze.

Original reporting

• NPR: Dozens of critically endangered orangutans rescued from Indonesian wildfires
  2026-10-17T11:43:13+00:00
• France 24 English: Dozens of critically endangered orangutans saved from rampant wildfires in Indonesia
  2026-10-18T11:25:23+00:00