After months of drought and devastating wildfires, rain could finally bring relief to Borneo’s forests. But for the island’s critically endangered orangutans, the struggle for survival is far from over.
most threatened rainforests.
Borneo’s Forests Under Fire
Across Indonesian Borneo, months of extreme heat and prolonged drought have left tropical forests increasingly vulnerable to wildfires. Intensified by a powerful El Niño, the 2026 fire crisis has destroyed important wildlife habitats across Kalimantan.
The scale of the damage is alarming. By September 13, more than 4,500 hectares had already burned inside Tanjung Puting National Park, one of Indonesia’s most important orangutan strongholds.
Across Indonesia, approximately 202,000 hectares had burned by July. Environmental organisations estimated that at least another 600,000 hectares had been affected since then.
On October 28, firefighters were still battling flames inside Tanjung Puting. Emergency teams worked to protect orangutan feeding grounds, conservation areas and nearby communities.
Rain Brings a Glimmer of Hope
After months of dry conditions, the possibility of returning rain offers some much-needed hope. According to Indonesia’s meteorological agency, BMKG, rainfall remains possible across parts of Kalimantan as October gives way to November. However, forecasts suggest that dry conditions may persist in some areas.
Sustained rainfall could help reduce fire activity, restore moisture to vegetation and slow the spread of new fires. It could also ease pressure on firefighters working in remote forest areas.
However, the recovery will take time. In Borneo’s peatlands, fires can continue burning beneath the surface, even after rain has fallen. Damaged forests also need years to regenerate, particularly where mature trees and important food sources have disappeared.
An Uncertain Future for Orangutans
The consequences for Borneo’s orangutans are already significant. According to Reuters, conservation teams in West Kalimantan had rescued 49 orangutans since August. Some were relocated to safer forests, while others required rehabilitation.
Wildfires have also damaged forest corridors, forcing orangutans towards plantations and human settlements. Smoke exposure, dehydration and declining food availability create additional threats.
For these critically endangered great apes, survival depends on more than the arrival of the rainy season. Rain may help extinguish the flames and give damaged ecosystems a chance to recover. Yet it cannot immediately restore the forests that have disappeared.
As Borneo waits for the rain, protecting its remaining forests will be essential to securing a future for its orangutans.
Sources pour la publication
- Mongabay — Orangutan habitats threatened by fires
- Reuters — Orangutan rescues and burned areas
- ANTARA — Tanjung Puting wildfires, October 28
- BMKG — October rainfall outlook
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