Indonesia rescues mother and baby orangutans from burning Borneo peatland

Indonesian authorities rescued a mother orangutan and her baby from wildfire smoke on the island of Borneo. Acting on a tip-off, conservation officials located the orangutan on Wednesday in Central Kalimantan province after it was spotted clinging to the top of a tree.

The animal was surrounded by haze rising from nearby burned peatland, prompting officials to evacuate it immediately. During the operation, rescuers discovered the orangutan was carrying a baby.

Officials named the mother, estimated to be 20 years old, Raya after a nearby street where she was found, and her one-year-old daughter, Rayu. A preliminary veterinary check-up found the orangutans were not injured, and that they had not been seriously affected by the smoke. The orangutans were then transported to a clinic for observation.