Volunteers release nine orangutans into Borneo jungle after forest fires

The Yiari organization released nine orangutans into the Batu Nyambu protected forest area in West Borneo, Indonesia.

These great apes had been rescued from their original habitats after severe forest fires destroyed large areas of the jungle on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Veterinarians and volunteers transported the animals from a quarantine site to the jungle using pickup trucks and boats.

The animals suffered from burns on their hands and feet and were severely underweight when they were first rescued. Karmele Llano Sánchez, a Spanish veterinarian with Yiari, stated that the animals are now fit and healthy after weeks of care. Ishma Maula, another veterinarian, noted that the animals were highly stressed during quarantine and required a quick release into the wild. The rescue operation was prompted by fires caused by land clearing for plantations.

During a final medical check before the release, the team discovered that three of the orangutans were pregnant. One of the females, named Mama Ocha, is expected to give birth soon. Because of this, some members of the team will remain nearby to monitor her even after the other animals have been freed.