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Forest fires threaten Borneo's orangutans

Fires threaten orangutans and their habitat, as our conservation partners work tirelessly to protect wildlife and vital forests.

October 2026

Devastating forest and peatland fires across Indonesian Borneo are threatening orangutans, destroying vital habitat and affecting communities throughout the region. As conservation teams work tirelessly to contain the flames, Orangutan Appeal UK is supporting its partners on the ground during this difficult time.

A crisis spreading beyond the forests

Borneo, the world's third-largest island, is shared by three countries: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. While Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is located in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, some of the most serious fires are occurring further south in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island.

Prolonged drought and exceptionally dry conditions have left vast areas of forest and peatland vulnerable to fire. Unlike ordinary vegetation fires, peat fires can continue burning underground, making them extremely difficult to detect and extinguish.

The consequences extend far beyond the immediate areas affected. Thick smoke and hazardous haze have spread across parts of Southeast Asia, affecting air quality, disrupting daily life and putting people's health at risk. For orangutans and other wildlife, the fires mean the destruction of habitat, reduced food availability and exposure to harmful smoke.

Protecting orangutans at COP's rehabilitation centre

Our conservation partner, the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP), has faced an alarming situation at its rehabilitation centre in Kalimantan.

In an update from the team, we learned that fires had come within approximately 500 metres of the orangutan enclosures, prompting COP to establish an emergency firefighting team.

The rescue vehicle funded by Orangutan Appeal UK has played an important role in helping the team mobilise and respond to the fires.

Seeing the vehicle being put to use in such challenging circumstances is a powerful reminder of the importance of providing practical resources to conservation teams working on the front line.

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Fighting to save Borneo's peat-swamp forests

Meanwhile, our long-standing conservation partner Borneo Nature Foundation has been working to protect Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan, home to one of the world's largest remaining populations of wild Bornean orangutans.

During September, fires breached parts of the park's boundaries, threatening its extraordinary peat-swamp forest. One of Borneo Nature Foundation's reforestation sites was devastated, destroying approximately 45,000 young trees and years of painstaking restoration work.

Nine community firefighting teams, comprising 138 trained members, have been mobilised to tackle fires, patrol vulnerable areas and protect the remaining forest.

Orangutan Appeal UK responded to Borneo Nature Foundation's emergency appeal with additional financial support to help sustain these vital efforts.

Standing together for Borneo's future

The destruction caused by these fires is heartbreaking, and the challenges facing conservation teams and local communities are immense. Yet their dedication to protecting orangutans, wildlife and irreplaceable forest habitat continues.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Orangutan Appeal UK can provide both long-term conservation assistance and additional help when emergencies arise.

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