Eight apes freed after Borneo fires

Three mothers, three daughters and two adult males were released into a reserve in west Borneo on Friday by International Animal Rescue Indonesia and the forestry ministry.

Forty-six rescued from summer blazes

Indonesian authorities rescued forty-six orangutans from wildfires in August and September. Wildfires in the region are usual during the dry season but intensified this year.

Species faces steep population decline

Around one hundred four thousand orangutans remain in Borneo and Sumatra, down from more than two hundred thirty thousand a century ago, according to conservation group WWF.

El Niño intensified this year's fires

This year's wildfires were more intense due to the El Niño ocean warming phenomenon, which makes weather patterns more volatile and intense.

Three families rescued from danger

Mama Nopi and offspring Nopi, Naufal and Nopan were surviving in a coconut and rubber plantation before rescue in early September. Fires had incinerated surrounding forest, restricting food access.

Reserve chosen for survival prospects

The reserve has food and water available and connects to other forested areas. Yiari's Argitoe Ranting said rescued orangutans need a chance to survive in their natural habitat.

“We want to ensure that rescued orangutans are not simply moved from one place to another, but actually have a chance to survive in their natural habitat.”