Orang Utans threatened by forest fires

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Indonesian Forest Fires Force Dozens of Endangered Orangutans to Flee

 

11/7/2006 9:00:00 AM

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National and International Desks

 

Contact: Chris Cutter of IFAW, 508-737-4623 or

ccutter<http://releases.usnewswire.com/redir.asp?ReleaseID=75811 & Link=m\

ailto:ccutter (AT) ifaw (DOT) org>

 

MANTANGAI, Indonesia, Nov. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Wildfires that have been

raging across Indonesia since mid-September have choked the country in a

thick haze and driven dozens of endangered orangutans from their jungle

habitat.

 

An animal rescue team from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare –

http://www.ifaw.org<http://releases.usnewswire.com/redir.asp?ReleaseID=75811 & Lin\

k=http://www.ifaw.org>)

and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) has already

treated

more than forty orangutans for respiratory problems and burns.

 

Annual fires are intentionally set in Indonesia to clear forestland for

agriculture before the rainy season begins in November. This year's fires

are the worst in a decade due to drier than normal conditions. Peat swamps,

which form much of the ground cover in the forest habitats, have been

smoldering for weeks and sending a thick pall of smoke all across the

region. The smoke has choked the country and drifted over into the

neighboring countries of Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesian airports

have been closed and in Kalimantan drivers have been forced to use their

headlights in the daytime due to the low visibility.

 

The raging fire and thick smoke has destroyed orangutan habitat and forced

the animals out of the jungle. Orangutans flee the burning jungle in search

of food and safety, often into nearby palm oil plantations, where they are

beaten by humans. IFAW is in Indonesia to rescue the displaced orangutans,

give them medical treatment, and relocate them to safer habitats.

 

Less than 60,000 orangutans remain in the wild in Indonesia and IFAW

estimates that they could face extinction from the wild in ten years due to

habitat destruction.

 

Indonesia has the highest number of threatened species of mammals in the

world, around 146, according to the World Conservation Union. Among these is

the Asian elephant, with an estimated 50,000 remaining in the wild (plus

another 10,000 in captivity). Their habitat is already in danger with

widespread human encroachment, and the looming wildfires push the space

constraints even further.

 

IFAW's Jennifer Miller is in Indonesia and recording her experiences here:

http://animalrescue.typepad.com/<http://releases.usnewswire.com/redir.asp?Releas\

eID=75811 & Link=http://animalrescue.typepad.com/>

 

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About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)

 

Founded in 1969, IFAW works around the globe to protect animals and habitats

promoting practical solutions for animals and people. To learn how you can

help, please visit

http://www.ifaw.org<http://releases.usnewswire.com/redir.asp?ReleaseID=75811 & Lin\

k=http://www.ifaw.org>

 

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/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/