Wildfires came 'worryingly' close to animal sanctuary

A charity has described how wildfires came "worryingly" close to its rescue centre.

International Animal Rescue, based in East Sussex, told the BBC its conservation project in Borneo has been impacted by wildfires sweeping across Indonesia.

"When the fires really got a grip, they came worryingly close to our rescue centre - literally within a few hundred metres," said the charity's chief executive Gavin Bruce.

"The team there has just done the most remarkable effort," he said, adding that animals had been moved to keep them safe.

Wildfires have been burning throughout parts of Indonesia for weeks, sending smoke across the country and into neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

International Animal Rescue said it was also having to rescue orangutans from the fires, with 46 of the critically endangered animal moved to safety so far.

Dr Kamale Sanchez, who works for the charity in Indonesia, told the BBC she was sleeping deep within the forests to rescue more.

She said forest fires in the area "have got even more out of control".

"We are experiencing a very hot season," said Sanchez, explaining that it was about five to six degrees above normal temperatures for the time of year.

This year's wildfire season has been called one of Indonesia's worst in years.

It is primarily caused by illegal slash-and-burn practices used by farmers and companies as a cheap method to clear vegetation, though experts say the "super" El Niño this year has exacerbated drought conditions.

Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, are driving climate change that is making extreme weather events more common and intense, say scientists.

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