Gunung Leuser National Park

An area of significance for conservation, this park in Indonesia is the last place where orangutans, tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, and leopards live together.

By ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

with photo contributions from the Gunung Leuser National Park, John Escandor Jr, Abex and Uki Wardoyo, and Ameliya Rosita

Rafflesia (2013) by Gunung Leuser National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The extensive flora of the park includes bamboo species that can grow up to 18 metres tall, Rafflesia and Amorphophallus, which are the largest and the tallest flowers in the world, respectively.

Baby elephants (2016) by Gunung Leuser National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Animals recorded in the park include Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis); Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae); Asian elephant (Elephas maximus); Thomas’s Langur (Presbytis thomasi); and siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus).

Thomas's Leaf Monkey (2022) by Ameliya RositaASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Wildlife of Gunung Leuser National Park

• 4,000 species of flora
• 380 species of birds
• 129 species of mammals
• 103 species of reptiles
• 35 species of amphibians

Young ASEAN Storytellers trekking (2022) by Abex and UkiASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Other ecotourism activities in the park are rafting down the Bohorok River, kayaking, canoeing, and jungle trekking.

Aerial video of GLNP (2016) by ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Forming part of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
a World Heritage Site – the Park consists of steep mountainous terrain with lowland evergreen dipterocarp forest; peat swamps; freshwater lakes and rivers; and sulphur mineral pools, among others.

Orangutans (2015) by Gunung Leuser National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Visitors can join in a variety of wildlife ecotourism activities. Bukit Lawang is considered one of the best gateways to experiencing the park. The surrounding forest offers opportunities to observe orangutans and other forest inhabitants.

Gunung Leuser National Park is one of the project sites of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity's Small Grants Programme, a joint initiative with the Federal Government of Germany through the KfW. This project aims to promote biodiversity conservation and the improvement of livelihoods of communities within and around the ASEAN Heritage Parks.

SGP Video (2022) by ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Hanging bridge (2016) by Gunung Leuser National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Learn more about Gunung Leuser National Park

Elephants (2015) by Filiberto A. Pollisco Jr.ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

View other parks supported by the Small Grants Programme

INDONESIA
Way Kambas National Park

MYANMAR
Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary
Meinmahla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary

AHP logo by ACBASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

ASEAN Heritage Parks

ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance that provide valuable contributions to safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity. 

AHPs provide a window to the world, showcasing a wealth of biodiversity that is uniquely ASEAN.

Credits: Story

with photo contributions from the Gunung Leuser National Park, John Escandor Jr, Abex and Uki Wardoyo, and Ameliya Rosita

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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