Dozens of orangutans saved from Indonesia blazes

Jakarta, Indonesia - Dozens of critically endangered orangutans have been rescued from raging wildfires that have been ravaging Indonesia in recent weeks, according to conservation groups. The ongoing blazes have caused a prolonged period of pollution, leading to the closure of schools and an increase in respiratory issues among both humans and animals.

The haze has affected multiple Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and East Timor, with pollution levels ranging from unhealthy to very unhealthy. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were recently ranked among the world's top five most polluted cities by Swiss-based air quality monitor IQAir.

Conservation efforts are being made to rescue wildlife from the fires, with a focus on orangutans. On August 6, the West Kalimantan conservation agency and Indonesian non-profit YIARI began evacuating orangutans from various locations in the province between August 6 and October 19. Initial reports suggest that up to 96 orangutans may have been rescued in Kalimantan over the past few months. However, the exact number has not been officially confirmed by the forestry ministry.

The most recent rescue took place on Saturday when a 20-year-old male orangutan was saved in Hampangen village, Central Kalimantan. Conservation agencies carefully sedated the animal and conducted an immediate health examination before transporting it to a rehabilitation center. The Indonesian transport ministry reported that around 2,400 flights across the country have been impacted by the haze since mid-August, as poor visibility around airports can cause delays, disruptions, and even cancellations.

Safety remains the top priority in all operational decisions due to the hazardous conditions caused by the fires.