Wildfires pose significant threat to endangered orangutans' survival in Indonesia's Borneo island

Wildfires are raging across parts of Indonesia's Borneo island, posing a significant threat to the survival of endangered orangutans.

The blazes have left many apes struggling to find food and shelter, prompting rescuers to evacuate those found injured or stranded amidst the thick haze. In recent months, dozens of orangutans have been rescued from wildfires in Sumatra and Borneo. One such rescue was that of a female Bornean orangutan nicknamed Novita.

Novita was found clinging to a nearly leafless tree in the Katune forest in Central Kalimantan province, surrounded by dense smoke and scorched landscape. According to Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, Novita's palms and soles showed signs of burns sustained when she crossed a burned area.

Sihite said that Novita was estimated to be 3 to 4 years old and had likely suffered her injuries while trying to reach a tree. She was tranquilized, given oxygen and intravenous fluids before being taken to the rehabilitation center in Nyaru Menteng for treatment.

Once Novita's burns have healed, she will undergo evaluation to determine if she can climb and survive in her natural environment. According to Sihite, previous experience has shown that orangutans missing fingers can still thrive in the wild, offering hope for Novita's eventual return to her forest home.

The prolonged dry season exacerbated by El Niño has led to a severe intensification of forest and land fires across Indonesia this year. The blazes are not limited to the Indonesian part of Borneo but have also spread to some regions on Sumatra island, where water shortages have hindered firefighting efforts.

A tragic incident was reported in West Kalimantan's Ketapang district, an area affected by wildfires, where a male orangutan named Sampurna was found struggling to breathe on a palm oil plantation. Residents discovered the 20-year-old primate early last month and attempted to rescue him, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries just hours later.

Despite these challenges, Indonesian authorities have reported some positive developments in their efforts to mitigate the crisis. As of Saturday, more than 270 wild animals in Kalimantan had been rescued, rehabilitated or guided to safer habitats.

Government data reveals that an alarming amount of land has been scorched by wildfires between January and July, with over 202,000 hectares (499,000 acres) burned. The Nusantara Atlas project, which monitors fires using satellite imagery, estimates that nearly 896,000 hectares (2.2 million acres) had burned by the end of August.

The devastating impact of forest and peatland fires on wildlife is a pressing concern for Indonesian authorities. The recent discovery of injured orangutans in Central Kalimantan highlights the urgent need for effective fire prevention measures.

Wildfires not only pose a threat to human lives but also have severe consequences for local ecosystems, said Andi Muhammad Kadhafi, head of the Central Kalimantan's Natural Resources Conservation Agency. He emphasized that a comprehensive approach is required, combining fire prevention with habitat protection and rapid response mechanisms.