The friendly giant; the Elephant.

The Sumatran elephant, found only on Sumatra, is smaller than the Indian elephant. Population estimates for this group range from 2,100 to 3,000 individuals. It is very light grey in colour and has less depigmentation than the other Asians, with pink spots only on the ears. Mature Sumatrans will usually only measure 1.7–2.6 m at the shoulder and weigh less than 3,000 kg. It is considerably smaller than its other Asian (and African) cousins and exists only on the island of Sumatra, usually in forested regions and partially wooded habitats.

In 2003, a further subspecies was identified on Borneo. Named the Borneo pygmy elephant, it is smaller and tamer than any other Asian elephants. It also has relatively larger ears, longer tail and straighter tusks.

Another threat to elephants' survival in general is the ongoing cultivation of their habitats with increasing risk of conflicts of interest with human cohabitants. These conflicts kill 150 elephants and up to 100 people per year.

As larger patches of forest disappear, the ecosystem is affected in profound ways. The trees are responsible for anchoring soil and absorbing water runoff. Floods and massive erosion are common results of deforestation. Elephants need massive tracts of land because, much like the slash-and-burn farmers, they are used to crashing through the forest, tearing down trees and shrubs for food and then cycling back later on, when the area has regrown. As forests are reduced to small pockets, elephants become part of the problem, quickly destroying all the vegetation in an area, eliminating all their resources.

 Elephant hunting, both legal and illegal, has had some unexpected consequences on elephant anatomy as well.

The Leuser National Park

Is located in North Sumatra is a hidden paradise, one of the last places you can experience the rainforest at its best. Majestic trees, thick lush tropical vegetation interspersed with beautiful rivers, waterfalls, caves and hot springs combine to make this one of the most beautiful places on earth. This is also home for many endangered animals such as the Sumatran orangutan, the Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran elephant, to name but a few. It is also the only place in Indonesia where you can venture into the jungle on the back of your own elephant, exploring parts of the rainforest that would be difficult to reach otherwise. This is the place to come if you want a truly exclusive and unique experience combining rainforest exploration with camping and above all with riding elephants.

LOCATION OF SUMATRAN ELEPHANTS:

The fine feline; the Sumatran tiger

The Sumatran Tiger is found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in habitat ranging from mountainous forests to lowland forests. The Sumatran Tiger is one of eight subspecies of tiger, and it is believed that these animals became isolated to Sumatra when rising sea levels smothered the land, causing the formation of islands in the region.

Sumatran Tigers are the smallest of all tigers, and their size assists them in navigating the dense, tropical forests in which they hunt. Being solitary animals, they are highly adapted to ambush hunting, using their stripes as camouflage against the dappled light of the forest floor. Sumatran Tigers will lie in wait to pray upon wild boar, birds, tapir, fish and deer.

Illegal hunting of tigers for use in traditional medicines, and loss of their rainforest habitat is continuing to threaten the remaining wild populations.

In 2007, the Indonesian Forestry Ministry and Safari Park established cooperation with the Australia Zoo for the conservation of Sumatran Tigers and other endangered species. The cooperation agreement was marked by the signing of a Letter of Intent on 'Sumatran Tiger and other Endangered Species Conservation Program and the Establishment of a Sister Zoo Relationship between Taman Safari and Australia Zoo' at the Indonesian Forestry Ministry office on July 31, 2007. The program includes conserving Sumatran Tigers and other endangered species in the wild, efforts to reduce conflicts between tigers and humans and rehabilitating Sumatran Tigers and reintroducing them to their natural habitat.

Attraction for tigers (Melbourne Zoo)

 Open daily 9am - 5pm every day of the year.

Map of Melbourne Zoo



The lovable primate; the Orangutan.

Orang-utan is a great ape that has fur with a colour between red and brown. There are two species of orang-utan. They are from Southeast Asia. There are very few of them left, because loss of the jungle has reduced their habitat.

The name Orang-utan comes from two Malay words, orang which means person, and hutan which means forest; so orang-utan means person of the forest.

Indonesian translation:

Orang utan adalah kera besar yang memiliki bulu dengan warna antara merah dan coklat. Ada dua jenis orang utan. Mereka berasal dari Asia Tenggara. Ada sangat sedikit dari mereka yang tersisa, karena hilangnya hutan telah mengurangi habitat mereka.

 Nama Orang utan berasal dari dua kata-kata Melayu, Orang yang berarti orang, dan Hutan yang berarti hutan; sehingga orang utan berarti orang hutan.



TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK - Orangutan Research Centre

Located in the peninsula on the south coast of the world´s third largest tropical rain forest of Borneo, in Indonesian province of Central Kalimantan, the park consist of 300.040 hectares (741,100 acres). The Tanjung Puting National Park is very well-known and popular as a world-class reserve. The park is a nature and wildlife reserve for lowland and swamp forests, inhabited by orangutans, owa-owas, bekantans and other primates.

Opening Hour: Monday-Sunday, 7am to 9pm

ORANGUTAN LOCATION:

 

This orangutan and baby cub are only two of the growing few that need your help to save their homes.