Indonesian wildfires threaten endangered orangutans

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 12:55 · Archive

Wildfires across Indonesia's Borneo and Sumatra islands are injuring and killing endangered orangutans as El Niño intensifies drought conditions.

Wildfires sweeping across Indonesia's Borneo and Sumatra islands have worsened in 2026 as El Niño intensifies a prolonged dry season. Water shortages in affected areas have hampered firefighting efforts, though Japan has provided firefighting assistance to the island. Rescuers have evacuated dozens of injured and stranded orangutans surrounded by thick smoke and haze.

A female Bornean orangutan named Novita was found clinging to a nearly leafless tree in the Katune forest in Central Kalimantan province. She suffered burns on the palms of her hands and soles of her feet, sustained when she crossed a burned area while trying to reach safety. The 3 to 4-year-old ape was tranquillised, given oxygen and intravenous fluids, and taken to the rehabilitation centre at Nyaru Menteng.

Jamartin Sihite, chairman of the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, said Novita would be evaluated once her burns healed to determine if she could climb and survive in the wild. 'We have previously released orangutans missing several fingers and they were still able to survive in the forest, so we remain hopeful that Novita can eventually return to the wild,' he said. A male orangutan named Sampurna, around 20 years old, was found struggling to breathe on a palm oil plantation in West Kalimantan's Ketapang district in early September and died hours after being rescued, Indonesia's Forestry Ministry said.

How it is being reported

• Indonesia's orangutans in danger as wildfires continueForest and land fires in Indonesia have worsened in 2026 as El Nino intensifies a prolonged dry season, with endangered orangutans struggling to survive.The West Australian · 10 Oct, 12:35
• Indonesia's orangutans in danger as wildfires continueForest and land fires in Indonesia have worsened in 2026 as El Nino intensifies a prolonged dry season, with endangered orangutans struggling to survive.Perth Now · 10 Oct, 12:35

In this story: Indonesia · Borneo · Sumatra · Central Kalimantan · West Kalimantan · Jamartin Sihite · Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation

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