Indonesian fires affecting Borneo orangutans

Orangutan eating a mature Coconut.

1. 
   The rapid destruction of forests means that every year an area the size of England is lost.
2. 
   You would not believe by looking at these images, but orangutans are not natural born swimmers.
3. 
   These playful pictures were taken on the River Rungan in Borneo.
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   Orangutans normally rarely descend to the forest floor, let alone take to the water.
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   Climate change and deforestation in the surrounding areas has meant that the wildlife has had to adapt to the changing conditions.
6. 
   The behaviour of these orangutans is unheard of in the wild, because like all apes they have a natural fear of water because of predators such as crocodiles.
7. 
   In this area there is a very low to non-existent crocodile population, which has meant that the highly intelligent creatures have learnt to take to the river.
8. 
   For experts, this behaviour could prove to be a significant step forward in their evolution.
9. 
   Orangutans are dependent on trees for their existence.
10. 
    They are perfectly adapted to life in the forest travelling with ease through the forest canopy.
11. 
    Orangutans sleep in nests and feed predominantly on fruit.
12. 
    About a million years ago, orangutans lived throughout much of Asia.
    
    Today they are found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
15. 
    The rapid destruction of forests means that every year an area the size of England is lost.
16. 
    You would not believe by looking at these images, but orangutans are not natural born swimmers.

Indonesian fires affecting Borneo orangutans


Slash-and-burn forest fires are destroying sections of an orangutan sanctuary in Borneo. Julie Noce reports.

Toxic smoke from forest fires blanketing much of South East Asia is not only affecting people... but also a species of orangutan.

About 100 hectares of forest within the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation sanctuary is burning. 

Officials have moved the some 209 adult orangutans to a special 'island' within the sanctuary that's surrounded by water and say that for now, they're safe. 

(Bahasa Indonesia) SAMBOJA LESTARI ORANGUTAN REHABILITATION CENTER'S VETERINARIAN, RUDIAR, SAYING: 

"The effects of this forest fire could generate upper respiratory infection diseases, or what is well known as ISPA. We have already conducted general check ups on our orangutans here and none of them show the symptoms, and hopefully it will not happen." 

But young orangutans aren't so lucky. Thirteen babies have been moved to another sanctuary run by the same foundation which has been so far untouched by fires. Six of the 13 babies are receiving treatment for acute respiratory and eye infections. 

The fires are a result of slash-and-burn land clearing practices by pulp and paper and palm oil companies and have been creating hazardous air quality conditions in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia for weeks.




http://www.reuters.com/video/2015/09/30/indonesian-fires-affecting-borneo-orangu?videoId=365776090&videoChannel=1&channelName=Top+News

http://reut.rs/1YOb8OW

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