Indonesia relocates eight endangered orangutans after wildfires destroy forest homes

Eight endangered orangutans whose forest homes were destroyed by wildfires have been moved to a safe location in Indonesia, authorities and conservation workers said.

The rescued apes reached safety after a nine-hour journey by car, boat and foot. Indonesian authorities and conservation workers carried out the relocation after fires destroyed the animals’ homes in the forests of Borneo.

Rescue and relocation

The group included three mother-child pairs and two adolescent male orangutans. They were rescued between August and September from several locations, according to the Indonesian government and wildlife foundation Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia, or YIARI.

The details were provided in a statement issued by the Indonesian government and YIARI on Sunday. The move involved eight orangutans, all identified as endangered primates affected by the destruction of their forest habitat.

The relocation comes as Indonesia battles its most intense wildfires in 11 years. The fires are mainly affecting the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, where forest areas have been hit by the blazes.

The Indonesian government has warned that the fires could continue until November. It said the situation has been aggravated by the El Nino weather pattern.

Source: South China Morning Post