Indonesia rescues second orangutan mother and baby from wildfire

Jakarta: A mother orangutan and her infant were rescued from the path of advancing wildfires that threaten their habitat in Indonesia, according to authorities. The Southeast Asian nation has been battling wildfires for weeks, creating smog that enveloped parts of Borneo and Sumatra, and contributing to air pollution in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

The orangutan pair had been under surveillance since July, after being sighted in a plantation area close to a forest in West Kalimantan. Nevertheless, officials opted to transport them to a rescue center run by Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) on Thursday, as the flames drew nearer to their habitat. The orangutans' well-being is being monitored by veterinarians, but an initial examination revealed no burn injuries on the two primates.

Smoke exposure over time... can adversely impact the orangutan's respiratory system, particularly when smoke levels in their habitat are exceptionally high, stated YIARI veterinarian Komara. Both individuals will remain under observation at the rescue and rehabilitation center. The latest rescue brings the total number of orangutans evacuated due to wildfire threats in the Ketapang district of West Kalimantan province to nine within a span of less than a month.

YIARI operational director Argitoe Ranting pointed out that fires not only destroy forests but also strip animals of their shelter and food sources. Many animals lack alternative options for relocation as their habitat burns. One orangutan perished after being rescued the previous week, and a necropsy indicated that smoke exposure was the cause of death, as reported by the West Kalimantan natural resources conservation agency.