Bornean orang-utans are threatened with extinction. Their environment is eroded by palm oil and other plantations, leaving these forest dwelling animals stranded in a cultivated wasteland. Plucked from their home, others are killed or sold into the exotic pet trade. Now man-made forest fires are threatening one of their last safe havens – the Sebangau peat-swamp forests of Central Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo.

An estimated million hectares of precious orang-utan habitat have already gone up in flames. We urgently need your help today to protect what’s left and to help care for the animals left behind by this tragedy.

Beyond the loss of forest itself, our biggest fear is the likelihood of many orang-utan casualties. Some may survive by fleeing from the fires, but then become trapped by impassable natural barriers such as large rivers. Those who manage to get away face fresh dangers, including persecution for bushmeat or to protect crops. Animals who trespass into areas already occupied by other orang-utans will not receive a friendly welcome either. It is therefore crucial to preserve as much forest as possible by beating back the flames. But even when the fires have been extinguished, orang-utans who have been displaced or injured by the inferno will need sanctuary and care.

The Centre for International Cooperation in the Management of Tropical Peatland’s (CIMTROP) team of experienced fire fighters is leading the fight against the fires. But without the right equipment, they are fighting a losing battle. CWI has already dedicated emergency funds to help these men do their job. But we need a lot more money to carry on.

Dr. Suwido Limin, Director of CIMTROP is all too aware of the mammoth task that faces his men. "The fires were started as a direct result of human actions. Newcomers to the area have attempted to follow traditional Dayak farming methods for land clearance, but lack the experience to control the fires they start. When peat dries out it burns very easily and at high temperatures. Once these fires take hold, they burn and burn and can be almost impossible to put out until the rains come again.”

Fire fighters have been working 24 hours a day to dig wells, pump up water and channel it to the frontline of the fires. To do this heavy equipment needs to be transported deep into the jungle on foot or on motorcycles. This exhausting, dangerous and costly work goes on around the clock in a desperate effort to stop the fires from spreading further. Fire breaks are being created by pumping water from nearby canals and digging bore-holes 20m or more deep. Even trained teams can take up to six hours to dig a single bore-hole. The immediate need is for more water pumps, hoses and bore hole sites to quickly channel water where it is needed most. Extinguishing just one square metre of burning peat takes up to 300 litres of water.

As the vegetation dries out over the coming weeks, the situation is set to worsen and respite is not expected until the return of the rains in October. Please respond to this appeal today, and save these unique great animals. Just £12 will buy protective clothing for one fireman; £20 will buy ten metres of high pressure hose. Saving these animals is a race against time.

Please help us protect them today, whilst we still have the chance.