Nine orang utans released after wildfire rescue

In Ketapang, West Kalimantan province, conservationists recently released nine orang utans into a protected forest area after rescuing them from wildfires. The animals, including four mother-young pairs, were found in poor health and required care before being returned to the wild.

The rescue operation took place in August and September as wildfires ravaged their forest habitat. The orang utans were in bad condition, with some suffering burns and malnutrition, according to YIARI wildlife rehabilitation foundation CEO Karmele Llano Sanchez.

After several weeks of rehabilitation, the animals were transported to Batu Nyambu, a 23,000-hectare protected area. The journey involved trekking through difficult terrain, with conservation workers carrying the orang utans in cages suspended from poles.

Sanchez noted that three of the rescued mothers were pregnant, a fact discovered during the final health check before release. The team will monitor the pregnant orang utans to ensure their safety and the successful birth of their young.

The release of the orang utans followed a period of stress and abnormal behavior during their recovery in a rehabilitation center. YIARI veterinarian Ishma Maula said the animals could not wait longer to be released due to their extreme stress levels.

Batu Nyambu was chosen as the release site because its forests remain largely untouched and provide the necessary resources for the animals to thrive. The team traveled by car, kayak, and foot to reach the site, navigating dense forest conditions.

The rescue comes amid growing concerns over the impact of wildfires on Borneo’s orang utan population. Indonesia’s forestry ministry reported at least 51 orang utans rescued from burning forests in West Kalimantan between early August and mid-October.