The International Union for Conservation of Nature has reported that ongoing wildfires across Indonesian Borneo and Sumatra are severely impacting the survival of the critically endangered Bornean orangutan. These blazes are currently affecting habitats that house over half of the species' total population, including many of its largest groups. Beyond the direct destruction of forest areas, the resulting thick haze poses significant physiological risks to the animals. Research indicates that orangutans exposed to smoke exhibit signs of fat depletion and increased metabolic stress, likely caused by their immune systems struggling to cope with the poor air quality. As fires continue to burn, the ecological pressure on these primates intensifies, threatening their long-term viability in peat forest environments across the region.
Source : Malay Mail
Photo : Malay Mail
