Bornean Orangutans Face Habitat Loss as Fires Spread in Indonesian Borneo

Fires in Indonesian Borneo have left orangutans with limited options to flee, as their habitat is either surrounded or destroyed. The Gunung Palung National Park and Mendawak Biodiversity Corridor, crucial strongholds for the critically endangered Bornean orangutans, are experiencing severe burning. The dry season, exacerbated by an exceptionally strong El Niño, has contributed to the devastating conditions. The areas, home to a historically estimated 2,500 orangutans and supporting long-term ecological research, are being ravaged by the fires. The adjacent Mendawak Biodiversity Corridor, which provides a framework for maintaining and restoring forest patches, is also being affected. Spatial analysis by TheTreeMap has identified hotspots in the Gunung Palung National Park since August 27, with some overlapping with the park's core zone.