Indonesia’s wildfires threaten critically endangered orangutans, says IUCN
Fires are burning habitats containing 52% of Borneo's orangutan population, including 13 of the 20 largest populations, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Jakarta – The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has warned that wildfires ravaging Indonesian Borneo are severely endangering critically endangered Bornean orangutans. These fires have consumed habitats housing a significant portion of the orangutan population, with 52% living in these regions. The IUCN also reported that five gibbon species across Sumatra and Borneo have been exposed to smoke-laden air, potentially suffering respiratory harm alongside the orangutans.
As of Tuesday, Indonesia's forestry ministry had rescued 100 animals, including 53 orangutans, from the blazes. Conservationists urge authorities to not only respond to the current crisis but also invest in prevention measures, such as protecting and rewetting peatlands, addressing deforestation, and ensuring restored forests are kept from further conversion.
Indonesia has reported more than 202,000 hectares of land burned between January and July, with the Nusantara Atlas project estimating up to 900,000 hectares burned between January and August.
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