Eight endangered orangutans have been released into a protected forest in Indonesia's Borneo after being rescued from areas ravaged by recent wildfires, according to the Indonesian Nature Rehabilitation Initiative Foundation (YIARI).
The group, which included three mothers with infants and two adolescent males, was relocated on October 8 to the Batu Nyambu protected forest in West Kalimantan province. The fires, which occurred between August and September, destroyed large portions of their natural habitat, cutting off food sources and forcing the animals into human-inhabited plantations.
"They had no burns, open wounds, broken bones or other life-threatening injuries, but appeared to be suffering from malnutrition and dehydration," said Heribertus Suciadi, a spokesperson for YIARI.
Among the relocated orangutans was a mother known as Mama Man and her infant, who had been monitored in a small forest patch surrounded by plantations. Heavy smoke and expanding fires left them with no safe route to larger forested areas before they were evacuated in early September. Two other mother-and-infant pairs and two juvenile males were found in similar circumstances.
The orangutans underwent veterinary examinations and observation at a YIARI rehabilitation center to ensure they were healthy enough for release. The Batu Nyambu site was chosen for its intact habitat, abundant food and water, suitable nesting trees, and connections to neighboring forests.
"We want to ensure that rescued orangutans are not simply moved from one place to another, but actually have a chance to survive in their natural habitat," said Argitoe Ranting, YIARI Operational Director, noting that suitable protected forests for displaced orangutans are becoming scarce.
Indonesia has experienced intensified forest and land fires this year, exacerbated by El Niño and a prolonged dry season. Land clearances using fire, particularly in Borneo and Sumatra, along with water shortages that have hampered firefighting efforts, have contributed to the severity of the situation. Japan has provided assistance to Indonesian firefighters.
In a separate incident, a male orangutan named Sampurna, estimated to be around 20 years old, was found struggling to breathe on a palm oil plantation in West Kalimantan's Ketapang district in early September. He died hours after rescue, according to Indonesia's Forestry Ministry.
As of Saturday, the ministry reported that over 270 wild animals in Indonesia's Borneo had been rescued, rehabilitated, or moved to safer habitats, with YIARI accounting for 46 orangutan rescues.
"These orangutans have been traumatized and other impacts by wildfires that devastated their habitat, leaving them displaced," said YIARI CEO Karmele Llano Sanchez. "Rescuing them is one of the best ways we can help them survive."