Indonesia moves endangered orangutans to safety after Borneo fires

Indonesian authorities and the conservation group YIARI moved eight orangutans to a safe location after wildfires in Borneo destroyed their habitat. Since August, the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency and YIARI have rescued 46 orangutans affected by the fires. The report places the rescues within Indonesia's most intense wildfires in 11 years, mainly on Sumatra and Borneo, which the government warned could continue until November amid the El Niño weather pattern. It also cites more than 200,000 hectares burned in the first half of 2026, with non-governmental organizations estimating at least 600,000 further hectares since.

• Eight orangutans moved to safety after Borneo wildfires destroyed their homes
• 46 orangutans rescued since August by West Kalimantan agency and YIARI
• Indonesia's most intense wildfires in 11 years, aggravated by El Niño
• Orangutans are critically endangered, found in the wild only on Borneo and Sumatra

Eight orangutans were transported to a safe location after wildfires in Borneo, Indonesia, destroyed the endangered primates’ homes. Since August, the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency and YIARI have rescued 46 orangutans affected by fires. Indonesia is battling its most intense wildfires in 11 years, primarily on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and the government has warned the blazes could continue until November, aggravated by the El Niño weather pattern. In the first half of 2026, fires burned more than 200,000 hectares in Indonesia and non-governmental organizations estimate fires have burned at least 600,000 more hectares since. Orangutans are critically endangered species found in the wild only on the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra, with Indonesia home to all three recognized species, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Populations have declined due to deforestation, wildfires and poaching. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on TikTok HERE: https://www.tiktok.com/@globalnews.ca?lang=en #GlobalNews