In brief
Eight critically endangered orangutans, rescued from oil‑palm plantations during the 2026 El Niño‑fuelled blaze, return to a linked forest reserve in western Borneo. The release follows years of shrinking habitat, with fires taking more than 50 per cent of the island’s orangutan range. Conservationists say this move is vital, giving the animals a chance to thrive in safer, larger forests. The event will be livestreamed by RTW, offering live interaction with experts and on‑scene updates. The release underscores the growing threat of climate‑driven fires on Southeast Asia’s wildlife.
Eight critically endangered apes, housed in transport cages for weeks after escaping burning oil‑palm plantations, were released today into a protected reserve in western Borneo, officials said.
The release follows a record‑breaking El Niño‑driven fire season that scorched large swaths of forest, endangering around 50000 of the island’s remaining orangutan population, conservation groups warn.
Three mother‑offspring pairs and two adult males are among those freed; rescuers said the reserve has abundant fruit trees, water, and is linked to wider forest corridors, giving the apes realistic chances to survive.
Yiari CEO Karmele Llano Sanchez described the move as "necessary", noting the fires had destroyed thousands of hectares of habitat and pushed the apes into close contact with humans.
Experts fear continued climate volatility and rampant land clearing will further reduce suitable habitat, potentially making Borneo’s remaining forest uninhabitable for future generations of orangutans.
The event will be streamed live by RTW, with viewers able to join a real‑time chat and ask questions of conservation specialists on site.
