9 Orangutans Rescued
One dies from smoke exposure as Indonesia wildfires threaten dozens more
A second orangutan mother and baby were rescued from a wildfire in Indonesia, bringing the total number of evacuees to nine in less than a month. The orangutan pair had been under observation since July after being spotted in a plantation area near a forest in West Kalimantan.
The orangutans were evacuated to a rescue center managed by Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) on Thursday. A preliminary check found no burn injuries on the two great apes. However, exposure to smoke can affect the orangutan's respiratory system, especially when smoke concentrations in the habitat are very high.
The latest rescue brings the number of orangutans evacuated because of wildfire threats to nine in less than a month in the Ketapang district of West Kalimantan province. One orangutan died after being rescued last week, with a necropsy indicating smoke exposure as the cause of death.
## Why it matters Wildfires have been blanketing parts of Borneo and Sumatra with smog, contributing to air pollution in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. The fires not only destroy forests but also deprive animals of shelter and food, leaving them with limited options to relocate. The rescue efforts highlight the need to protect the orangutans and their habitats from the devastating effects of wildfires.
The rescued orangutans are being monitored for health issues related to smoke exposure at the YIARI rescue center. The center's operational director, Argitoe Ranting, emphasized that the fires have a significant impact on the animals, and the rescue efforts are crucial to saving their lives.
