Orangutans evacuated as Indonesian fires spread smoke across the region
Conservation teams are evacuating orangutans from Indonesian forest fires, including a 20-year-old male rescued in Central Kalimantan. AFP describes sedation, medical examination and transfer to rehabilitation. Smoke from fires on Borneo and Sumatra has also disrupted schools, outdoor activity and flights across the region, affecting people alongside wildlife.
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A rescue in Central Kalimantan
A 20-year-old male orangutan was evacuated from Hampangen village in Indonesian Borneo as fires threatened remaining forest patches. AFP reports that conservation teams sedated the animal, performed a medical examination and transported it to a rehabilitation centre. The operation involved WWF Indonesia, Indonesia's Natural Resources Conservation Agency and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. It forms part of wider efforts to remove endangered wildlife from fire and smoke.[1]
Smoke reaches people and wildlife
Fires on Sumatra and Borneo have spread haze across the region. AFP describes school closures, restrictions on outdoor activities and respiratory problems affecting both people and animals during the prolonged pollution episode. Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and East Timor have been affected. Air quality in parts of the region was unhealthy or very unhealthy on 18 October, while conservation groups continued reporting orangutan evacuations.[1]
Reduced visibility disrupts flights
Indonesia's transport ministry said roughly 2,400 flights had been affected since mid-August. Smoke reduces visibility near airports, with delays, disruption and cancellations among the consequences described by the ministry. AFP attributes the intensity of the fires partly to El Niño conditions. The individual rescue takes place amid a wider fire emergency spanning damaged wildlife habitat, polluted air and interrupted transport.[1]
