Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 55 minutes ago
Wak was forced into a fruit plantation as fires spread through the surrounding landscape, leaving him with fewer safe places to go.
With the risk to both Wak and local people growing, a joint team from BKSDA West Kalimantan, our partners YIARI, PT Mopakha and members of the community moved quickly to get him out of danger. (6th August 2026)
Thankfully, Wak was later released into suitable habitat within the same forest landscape, where he has the cover and food he needs to survive.
But this is a frightening reminder of what fire can do. Fires are now raging across West Kalimantan, and at one point came within just 100 meters of YIARI’s orangutan center.
When habitat burns, orangutans can be pushed out of the forest and into areas where conflict becomes much more likely. Similar rescues were needed here during major fires in 2015 and 2019.
Please donate through the link in channel bio to help support the urgent fire response, replenish vital equipment and keep teams on the ground protecting orangutans like Wak!
Wak was forced into a fruit plantation as fires spread through the surrounding landscape, leaving him with fewer safe places to go.
With the risk to both Wak and local people growing, a joint team from BKSDA West Kalimantan, our partners YIARI, PT Mopakha and members of the community moved quickly to get him out of danger. (6th August 2026)
Thankfully, Wak was later released into suitable habitat within the same forest landscape, where he has the cover and food he needs to survive.
But this is a frightening reminder of what fire can do. Fires are now raging across West Kalimantan, and at one point came within just 100 meters of YIARI’s orangutan center.
When habitat burns, orangutans can be pushed out of the forest and into areas where conflict becomes much more likely. Similar rescues were needed here during major fires in 2015 and 2019.
Please donate through the link in channel bio to help support the urgent fire response, replenish vital equipment and keep teams on the ground protecting orangutans like Wak!
