Dozens of endangered orangutans rescued from Indonesia wildfires as haze chokes region

Jakarta, October 18 — Conservation groups have rescued dozens of critically endangered orangutans from rampant wildfires burning across Indonesia in recent weeks, according to reports. The smoke from the fires has caused a months-long pollution spell, closing schools and exacerbating respiratory issues among humans and animals in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor.

Pollution levels across the region remain unhealthy to very unhealthy, shrouding many areas in toxic haze. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were ranked among the world's top five most polluted major cities by Swiss-based air quality monitor IQAir. Intense wildfires on Borneo and Sumatra islands, fueled by an El Niño weather phenomenon, continue to emit smoke.

Indonesian conservation agencies are working to save wildlife from the fires, including orangutans. On August 6, the West Kalimantan conservation agency and Indonesian non-profit YIARI evacuated 51 orangutans from locations in the province, with the number potentially reaching 96 in recent months. One recent rescue involved a 20-year-old male orangutan in Hampangen village, Central Kalimantan, which was safely evacuated on Saturday after being sedated and examined by medical professionals before being taken to a rehabilitation center.

Indonesia's transport ministry reported that around 2,400 flights have been affected by the haze since mid-August, with visibility around airports being compromised, leading to potential delays, disruptions, and cancellations. Safety remains the top priority in every operational decision.