World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Eight orangutans rescued from fires released into protected forest in Borneo
Eight orangutans rescued from fires have been released into a protected forest in West Kalimantan, on the Indonesian side of Borneo.
The group includes three mothers with their daughters and two males.
Fires had made the animals’ former habitat unsafe and limited their access to food, bringing them closer to people.
Indonesia’s authorities and wildlife rescuers saved 46 orangutans from fire threats between August and October 9.
The new reserve was chosen for its food and water and its links to other forests.
Orangutans are critically endangered, with about 104,000 left in Borneo and Sumatra, compared with more than 230,000 a century ago.
Fires in Indonesia’s dry season have intensified in 2026, linked to El Niño and land-clearing practices.
Protecting forest habitat remains a priority, while rescuers say relocation can help orangutans survive when their home is threatened.
Eight orangutans rescued from fires in Indonesian Borneo have been released into a protected forest in West Kalimantan.
The group includes three mothers and their three offspring, as well as two males.
They were relocated on Oct 9 to Batu Nyambu Protected Forest, a 23,000-hectare reserve.
Authorities and rescuers said the orangutans had been saved from fires that threatened their habitats.
Indonesia and YIARI rescued 46 orangutans from fire threats between August and Oct 9.
- Who
- Eight orangutans rescued from fires, including three mothers, their three offspring and two males.
- What
- They were released into a protected forest after fires threatened their habitats.
- When
- They were relocated on Oct 9.
- Where
- Batu Nyambu Protected Forest in West Kalimantan, on the Indonesian side of Borneo.
- Why
- Their habitats had become unsafe because of fires.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Protection of habitats will always be a top priority to ensure orangutans continue to have safe forests to live in, but as long as their habitat remains threatened, rescue is one of the best options we can take to help them survive
We want to ensure that rescued orangutans are not simply moved from one place to another, but actually have a chance to survive in their natural habitat
necessary step
Indonesian authorities and YIARI rescued 46 orangutans from threats of fires.
Mama Nopi and her offspring were rescued from a coconut and rubber plantation, according to YIARI.
The eight orangutans were relocated to Batu Nyambu Protected Forest.
- Number released
- 8 orangutans
- Group
- 3 mothers, 3 offspring and 2 males
- Release date
- Oct 9
- Release site
- Batu Nyambu Protected Forest, West Kalimantan
- Reserve size
- 23,000 hectares
- Rescued from fire threats
- 46 orangutans between August and Oct 9
Sources
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