Wildfires in Indonesia affect major orangutan habitats as burned areas expand

The short version

• Wildfires have affected habitats supporting 52% of the Bornean orangutan population, according to IUCN primate specialists.[The Guardian]
• Official data from Indonesia's Forestry Ministry recorded over 202,000 hectares burned between January and July.[Associated Press]
• The environmental group YKAN estimated that an additional 600,000 hectares were damaged by fire in August alone.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• IUCN primate specialists reported that habitat supporting 52% of the Bornean orangutan population is currently affected by fires.[The Guardian]
• Indonesia's Forestry Ministry registered over 202,000 hectares of burned land from January to July.[Associated Press]
• The environmental group YKAN estimated that fires damaged around 600,000 hectares during August.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• ‘The toll is huge’: El Niño-driven wildfires overwhelm Indonesia’s orangutan populationThe Guardian - Environment
• Indonesian villagers on Borneo struggle for water as El Niño intensifies peatland firesAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press