Sumatra Rainforest

This exhibit is intended to represent the wild, rich expanses of the tropical rainforest in Sumatra and, more specifically, of the lowland rainforest ecosystem of Gunung Leuser National Park. Now under threat from illegal logging and wildlife poaching, this ecosystem boasts and enormous level of biodiversity, with at least 127 mammal species and over 8,500 plant species. It is the last place on earth there elephants, rhinos, tigers, clouded leopards and orang-utans are found within one area and it is also home to both the tallest and largest flowers in the world (amorphophallus and rafflesia).

The main theme running through this exhibit is ‘shelter’. Trees are the fundamental support and shelter for the rich diversity of life within the rainforest. They support distinct ways of life at different levels within the ecosystem, the reason for its extraordinary biodiversity. They feed and support many of the plants that in turn provide food for the animals of the forest. They give shelter form the weather and protection from predators. Their complex branch structures provide ways for arboreal apes to move about in search of food. The trees intercept much of the water that falls during the rainy season, stabilising the earth and reducing the risk of flooding. Dead, rotting wood and leaves support and shelter fungi and invertebrates who in turn contribute to the food supply for other species like reptiles. Traditionally trees are the basis for human shelter in the rainforest. However, trees now provide a new source of income; logging and clearing for agriculture or to make way for mono-culture plantations such as palm oil are causing the loss for ever of this valuable ecosystem.

The entrance to the Sumatra Rainforest exhibit takes visitors through the split buttress roots of a massive rainforest tree and on into a thickly planted area, through gaps in which you can see a tapir quietly wending his way whilst lars gibbons call to each other above its head. Passing evidence of the tectonic shifts that have shaped this fascinating landscape, hanging vines and irresistible timber structures tempt you to emulate the gibbons you saw a little while ago before you move on into a clearing. Here you see a long timber building reminiscent of a Sumatran long house, raised on stilts at one end as the ground drops away from it.

Inside you find fish, turtles, snakes and dead leaf mantis among others, and a friendly ranger to tell you more about life in a Sumatra rainforest. Walking onto the balcony of the long house you find yourself overlooking a beautiful tiger basking on a rock in the sun just below you. You continue on your journey and re-encounter the tapirs and gibbons. This time you can see right into the water of the tapir pool – they certainly do look different in the water!

Leaving them behind, you see a sign warning local people about the dangers of tigers: just across the water you can see for yourself one of these magnificent beasts taking a drink at the pool keeping an eye on you all the while. The path leads into a curved tunnel under and alongside the tiger domain. Here window slots allow close up visual encounters with tigers once again.