Indonesia (AFP) – Two orangutans, a mother and her baby, were rescued from the smoke of the fires that are ravaging the island of Borneo, in Indonesia, local authorities announced this Thursday.

First modification: 09/03/2026 - 14:29

The extensive archipelago has been fighting for weeks against fires that have left extensive parts of Borneo and Sumatra under smoke, although this also reaches areas of nearby Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Following a tip, authorities located the orangutan, which had been seen on Wednesday perched at the top of a tree in the province of Central Kalimantan, in Borneo, Muriansyah, an official with the local natural resources conservation agency, told AFP. Like many Indonesians, he does not have a first name.

The orangutan was discovered in the smoke, so it was quickly evacuated to a safe place, Muriansyah explained. During the operation, they realized that the primate, a female, was carrying her baby.

After verifying that they were not injured or seriously affected by smoke inhalation, they were taken to a clinic, explained Heriyanto, another official at said agency.

"If they are in good health and can be released into the wild, we will release them," he told AFP.

In the West Kalimantan region, also on the island of Borneo, at least seven orangutans were rescued last month due to forest fires.

The population of orangutans, endemic to the forests of Sumatra and Borneo, is in decline.

According to a 2016 count, there were about 57,000 in Borneo at the time. In Sumatra, there would be close to 11,000, according to a study carried out between 2021 and 2023.

© 2026 AFP

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