Indonesia Rescues Second Orangutan Mother and Baby Pair From Wildfires

An orangutan mother and her baby have been rescued from a plantation area in West Kalimantan as wildfires moved closer to their habitat. Authorities transferred the pair to a rescue centre on Sept. 3, after monitoring them since July.

The centre is managed by Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia, known as YIARI. Veterinarians are closely watching both animals. A preliminary examination found no burn injuries, but the smoke remains a serious concern.

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Exposure to smoke over a period of time... can affect the orangutan’s respiratory system, especially when smoke concentrations in the habitat are very high.

“Exposure to smoke over a period of time... can affect the orangutan’s respiratory system, especially when smoke concentrations in the habitat are very high,” YIARI veterinarian Komara said. “Both individuals will continue to be monitored while they are at the rescue and rehabilitation centre.”

The rescue came as Indonesia battled wildfires across parts of Borneo and Sumatra. Smoke blanketed areas of the archipelago and contributed to air pollution in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

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Both individuals will continue to be monitored while they are at the rescue and rehabilitation centre.

The latest evacuation brings to nine the number of orangutans rescued from wildfire threats in Ketapang district in less than a month, according to YIARI operational director Argitoe Ranting. “This shows that fires not only destroy forests but also deprive animals of shelter and food,” he said, adding that most animals have few options when their habitat burns.

One orangutan died after being rescued the previous week. A necropsy indicated that smoke exposure caused its death.

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This shows that fires not only destroy forests but also deprive animals of shelter and food.