Orangutans rescued from traffickers now face Indonesia’s wildfires

Flames have come within metres of a wildlife rehabilitation centre in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, as the country battles a record number of fires this season. The blazes, fuelled by hot, dry and windy conditions, now pose a direct threat to orangutans that were previously saved from animal traffickers. The extreme weather has been made worse by a powerful El Niño and the human-driven climate crisis, according to local officials. The centre, which cares for rescued orangutans, has so far avoided direct damage. But the smoke and heat are endangering the animals’ health and safety. Firefighters are working to contain the flames, but the scale of the fires across the region has stretched resources. No injuries have been reported, but the situation remains critical as winds continue to push the fire toward the facility.