Orang-utans in survival battle as Indonesian fires rage

DOZENS of endangered orang-utans have been driven from their jungle habitat because of forest-clearing fires raging across Indonesia, campaigners warned yesterday.

An animal rescue team from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Borneo Orang-utan Survival Foundation has already treated more than 40 animals for respiratory problems and burns.

Orang-utan habitat has been destroyed and the animals forced out of the jungle. This means that in their search for food and sanctuary the orang-utans are fleeing into nearby palm oil plantations, where they are attacked by people.