Indonesian wildfires near Borneo orangutan research station

Wildfires sweeping across Indonesia’s Gunung Palung National Park have encroached on a critical research zone for the critically endangered Bornean orangutan, prompting staff at the Cabang Panti research complex to work around the clock to contain the blaze. The flames, driven by a prolonged dry season, have surged within 200 metres of the Rangkong research station—a satellite outpost of Cabang Panti located about four miles north of the main camp—placing the world’s longest‑running field study of wild apes at immediate risk.

The advancing fire has forced orangutans to abandon their forest habitats, heightening concerns for an already vulnerable population, while researchers scramble to safeguard equipment, data archives, and the integrity of the study site. Teams on the ground are deploying firebreaks, monitoring smoke dispersion, and coordinating with local authorities to mitigate further spread. Continued surveillance and rapid response remain essential to protect both the endangered primates and the invaluable scientific work conducted at Cabang Panti.