Baby orangutan rescued from Indonesian wildfires

By Dean Murray

A tiny baby orangutan is comforted after being rescued from devastating wildfires in Indonesia.

The youngster, Irene, was found with her mother, Mama Irene, as the number of orangutans saved from the fires reaches 51.

The Ministry of Forestry said the figures underline mounting pressure on wildlife as flames and smoke fragment habitats and drive animals into human-dominated landscapes.

Dr. Karmele Llano Sanchez, Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) CEO and wildlife veterinarian, said: "Irene looked extremely stressed and very thin. She may have gone for days without finding any food in this devastated forest."

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Gavin Bruce, CEO of Sussex-based International Animal Rescue (IAR), YIARI's UK partner, said: "With so much devastation happening in Indonesia right now, this young orangutan Irene with Dr. Karmele show we can see how similar we are to orangutans when you see their movements and facial expressions.

"Dr. Karmele and the team at International Animal Rescue's partner in Indonesia, YIARI, have spent many years working with orangutans.

"In recent months, they have worked around the clock and have saved at least 51 orangutans from the fires across West Kalimantan.

"Baby Irene is just one tiny example of their hard work."

IAR said the rescued orangutans remain under close veterinary care at the rescue and rehabilitation center as the team continues to patrol fire-affected areas and respond to urgent calls for help.