Mount Leuser National Park (TNGL) is one of the world's most critical biodiversity strongholds, stretching along the border of Aceh and North Sumatra provinces. Spanning over one million hectares, this ancient tropical rainforest is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (*Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra*). Leuser is the only place on earth where four of the world's endangered megafauna naturally co-exist in the wild: the Sumatran Orangutan (*Pongo abelii*), the Sumatran Tiger (*Panthera tigris sumatrae*), the Sumatran Elephant (*Elephas maximus sumatranus*), and the Sumatran Rhino (*Dicerorhinus sumatrensis*).
The ecotourism hub of the park in Aceh is Ketambe, located in Southeast Aceh Regency. Ketambe is an internationally renowned wilderness research station and adventure center. Unlike rehabilitation centers, Ketambe allows tourists to track and observe wild orangutans swinging freely in the giant canopy of their pristine, natural habitat. Exploring the Leuser forest offers challenging trekking adventures through giant fern vegetation, viewing the massive parasitic Rafflesia flowers, crossing rushing rivers on wooden rafts, and soaking in natural hot springs hidden deep within the jungle.
The existence of the Leuser Ecosystem is vital for millions of people, acting as a global oxygen source, regulating the water cycle, and preventing flash floods. Visiting Leuser provides a profound understanding of nature conservation and the importance of preserving the earth's ecological balance for the survival of rare flora and fauna.
Location & Address: Ketambe District, Southeast Aceh Regency, Aceh Province (Main access in Aceh), Indonesia. Google Maps
References & Sources: 1. Mount Leuser National Park Headquarters. (2022). *Conservation Area Information and Statistics*. 2. UNESCO World Heritage Center. (2004). *Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra Nomination Dossier*. 3. Van Schaik, Carel P. (2004). *Among Orangutans: Red Apes and the Rise of Human Culture*. Harvard University Press.
* Segala informasi kemungkinan ada yang salah atau kurang. Jika Anda ingin berkolaborasi untuk melengkapi atau memperbaiki informasi, silakan hubungi kontak yang tersedia.
