Wildfires in Indonesian Borneo and Sumatra have worsened the plight of critically endangered Bornean orangutans, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The fires have created a thick haze that has spread across the islands and into neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore. These blazes are occurring in areas that are home to 52% of Borneo's orangutan population, including 13 of the 20 largest remaining groups. Exposure to fire and smoke is causing measurable harm to orangutans living in peat forest habitats. During periods of heavy haze, orangutans show signs of fat breakdown, even though they are eating and resting more. This suggests that their bodies are using more energy, likely because their immune systems are working harder to combat the effects of the smoke. The fires are not only affecting orangutans but also five gibbon species living in Sumatra and Borneo. Like the people living in these regions, gibbons are breathing in the same smoke-laden air, and scientists expect they are suffering similar respiratory issues. In addition to the health risks, the fires are also disrupting behaviors that are essential for the survival of wild populations. As of Tuesday, Indonesia had rescued 100 animals, including 53 orangutans, from the fires, according to a forestry ministry spokesman. However, conservationists are urging authorities to go beyond immediate rescue efforts and focus on long-term prevention. Ronna Saab of Forum Konservasi Orangutan Indonesia (FORINA) emphasized the need for sustained investment in fire prevention. She said that emergency responses should be followed by measures such as protecting and rewetting peatlands, addressing drainage and deforestation, and ensuring that burned forests are not converted for other uses but are instead restored properly. The Indonesian government reported that more than 202,000 hectares (499,000 acres) of land burned nationwide between January and July, the latest period for which data is available. The Nusantara Atlas project, a mapping initiative, estimated the burned area to be as high as 900,000 hectares (2.2 million acres) between January and August. These figures highlight the scale of the environmental damage caused by the wildfires.