Indonesian wildfires threaten Bornean orangutans and destroy hundreds of homes

Wildfires sweeping across parts of Indonesia's island of Borneo have left endangered orangutans struggling to survive, forcing rescue teams to evacuate animals. Mongabay reported that rescuers found apes injured, stranded, and surrounded by thick haze. Rescuers evacuated a female Bornean orangutan named Novita, who was among dozens of apes rescued from blazes in Sumatra and Borneo in recent months. [1]

The fires have also burned through residential zones in the Bangka Belitung region. Reuters, Internazionale, MarketScreener, and The Business Standard all reported that wildfires spread into residential areas in Bangka Belitung and destroyed over 300 houses. Voice of Nigeria specified that 305 houses were destroyed and 500 people were displaced by the blazes. [2][3][4][5][6]

The Bornean orangutan is a great ape species endemic to the island of Borneo. It is the largest of the three Pongo species, possessing a coarse reddish coat and arms up to 1.5 metres long. Males are larger than females and develop large cheek pads called flanges. [8]

Extreme weather across the region coincides with global climate conditions. The World Meteorological Organization declared the onset of an El Niño event on 2 June 2026. The organization reported that the event is the strongest recorded for its time of year and is expected to peak in November or December 2026 before lasting into early 2027. [7]