Wild world

Wildlife of Sumatra

Sumatra’s hidden wildlife

Conservationists have found several species of endangered animals living in parts of the Indonesian jungle given over to timber and oil-palm plantations. A team of scientists, led by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), found evidence of Sumatran tigers, families of elephants, sun bears, tapirs, golden cats and clouded leopards in so-called degraded land on Sumatra – areas that are not protected habitats and have been designated for agriculture.

Watching oranu-tans in Sumatra

A unique and unforgettable experience to see this highly endangered Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) in the wild with just your individual group and your personal guides. A wonderful opportunity to learn more about the orangutan and understand why they are so close to extinction. The chance to see many other native Sumatran animals, while trekking in the beautiful World Heritage Leuser National Park.

Your tour includes Garuda international airfares Denpasar Bali to Medan Sumatra return, pick up & drop off in A/C private car Medan to Bukit Lawang return, personal guide, accommodation at Bukit Lawang, guided jungle trekking  and return river rafting.

You can expect to spot: ex-captive orangutans now living in the wild, wild orangutans, white handed Gibbons, Long & short tailed Macaques, Thomas leaf monkey, Hornbills, Monitor lizards, Green tree frogs, Signs of honey bears, Plus many different tropical insects & birdlife

BBC radio 4 documentary about orang-utans in Sumatra

It is thought there are between 45-69,000 orang-utans remaining in the wild in Borneo but only around 7,300 to 7,500 in Sumatra. They remain under threat from illegal logging, encroaching agricultural development and palm oil plantations.

This summer a BBC Natural History Unit team returned to film the orang-utans of Sumatra found within Gunung Leuser National Park. The Natural History Unit were last there in the early 1990s as civil unrest in the region has meant it’s been over a decade since filming permission could be granted.

WWF – Borneo and Sumatra – Priceless forests harbor untold species

The Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra are home to some of the richest and most diverse tropical forests on the planet. They house thousands of unique species and the world’s last remaining Sumatran tigers, orangutans, pygmy elephants and Sumatran rhinos. These forests also absorb harmful carbon emissions and are sources of fresh water for the islands’ 56 million people.

The RSPB: Save the Sumatran rainforest

The rainforest we are trying to save in central Sumatra – Harapan Rainforest – covers an area two-thirds the size of greater London.

In this area there are more than 290 species – roughly the same number as breed in the whole of the British Isles. And that’s only the beginning. We are confident that further wildlife surveys will reveal even more species.

“Lost” Deer, Rare Cuckoo Caught in Camera Traps