Eight orangutans rescued from fires released into Indonesian forest
On October 10, 2026, eight orangutans, including three mother-baby pairs, were released into the Batu Nyambu Protected Forest in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. They had been rescued from recent wildfires affecting palm-oil plantations. This release contributes to the conservation of the critically endangered species, with approximately 104,000 orangutans remaining in Borneo and Sumatra.
On October 10, 2026, Indonesian authorities and the YIARI wildlife foundation released 8 orangutans into the Batu Nyambu Protected Forest. The 23,000 hectares area in West Kalimantan, Borneo, received a group consisting of 3 mother-baby pairs and 2 teenage males. These animals had been rescued in recent weeks from wildfires that moved through palm-oil plantations and forest edges across the region.
After a period of rehabilitation, the orangutans were confirmed to be healthy and ready for their return to the wild. This move is part of the ongoing work to recover the critically endangered population, with 46 orangutans rescued from fire threats between August and October 10, 2026.
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