Nine orangutans return to the wild after rehabilitation in Indonesia

Nine orangutans have returned to the forest in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, after recovering from wildfires.

Four mothers and their young were among the animals released into Batu Nyambu Protected Forest on Thursday.

The orangutans had spent weeks recovering at a center in Ketapang. They arrived weak and short of food and water.

Their journey back to the forest involved cars, boats and a long walk. Final health checks brought another finding: three of the mothers were pregnant.

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Batu Nyambu covers about 23,000 hectares. Officials selected the forest after checking food, water, nesting trees and space for the animals. The area also connects with other protected forests.

Bornean orangutans are critically endangered, meaning they face an extremely high risk of disappearing from the wild. Forest clearance and hunting have reduced their numbers, while fires destroy food and shelter.

For the released mothers and young, care will continue through monitoring in the forest.