Rescuers in Indonesia are finding orangutans with burns, severe thirst and breathing problems as fires destroy their forest homes. Some mothers have escaped with babies still clinging to them.
The danger continues even when animals survive the flames. Thick smoke fills the air, while burned forests leave them with less food and fewer places to shelter.
In September, rescue organisation YIARI brought a mother and baby named Mama Abu and Abu to safety near Gunung Palung National Park in West Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo.
The organisation said the mother’s skin was peeling, probably from burns she suffered while crossing burning ground. Both animals were severely underfed and dehydrated.
The fires threaten a large part of the species’ remaining home. On September 26, AFP reported an IUCN warning that fires were burning within habitats containing half of of Borneo’s orangutan population.
Indonesia’s forestry ministry said teams had rescued 100 animals, including 53 orangutans, by September 22.
Conservation groups say El Niño has made conditions hotter and drier, helping fires spread. Many fires begin through human activities such as land clearing.
Peatland presents a particular challenge. Once this thick layer of partly decayed plants dries out, fires can burn underground and return after crews put out the surface flames.
Local firefighting teams are working to protect the remaining forest, sometimes struggling to find enough water.
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