Dozens of orangutans rescued from Indonesia’s blazes

Severe wildfires burning across Indonesia have forced the rescue of dozens of critically endangered orangutans in recent weeks, conservation groups reported. The fires have created a prolonged period of toxic haze that has closed schools, exacerbated respiratory issues in both humans and animals, and restricted outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor.

Recent air quality readings in the region ranged from unhealthy to very unhealthy, enveloping many areas in southern Southeast Asia in hazardous haze.

Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were among the world's top ten most polluted major cities, according to Swiss-based air quality monitor IQAir. The Indonesian El Nino weather phenomenon has intensified the fires on Borneo and Sumatra islands, causing continued smoke emissions.

In West Kalimantan, a team evacuated 51 orangutans from Aug 6 to Oct 19, working diligently to save the endangered species from the raging fires. A recent evacuation on Saturday saw the rescue of a 20-year-old male orangutan in Hampangen village, Borneo. After sedating the animal, conservationists conducted a health examination and relocated it to a rehabilitation center.

The Indonesian transport ministry reported that around 2,400 flights have been disrupted since mid-August due to the haze, which reduces visibility and can result in delays, disruptions, or cancellations. Singapore's pollution levels, particularly PM2.5, remained elevated in western parts of the city-state on Sunday, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index in the "very unhealthy" range.

Atmospheric sciences expert Wang Jingyu explained that the region is experiencing a super El Nino weather phenomenon, resulting in cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures. This cooler sea temperature means less evaporation from the ocean, leading to insufficient rainfall. Consequently, the fires cannot be easily extinguished, and the conditions further exacerbate the toxic haze.