The Indonesian Island of Sumatra is home to incredible wildlife and forests and is part of the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot. It is home to Critically Endangered Sumatran Rhinos, Orangutans, Asian Elephants and Sumatran Tigers. Re:wild works with partners to save and restore Endangered species and irreplaceable ecosystems in Sumatra.

An Irreplaceable Ecosystem

The Leuser Ecosystem is 6.5 million acres of rainforest on Sumatra and is the last place on Earth where all those species still live together in the wild. The pristine lowland forests, lush peat swamps, and cloud-shrouded mountain forests are among the largest remaining intact rainforests in all of Indonesia, serving as a carbon storage powerhouse and the source of drinking water and agricultural livelihoods for millions of people. The ecosystem is also the customary lands of the Gayo, Alas, Kluet, Aneuk Jamee and Karo peoples. 

Re:wild works with multiple partners to conserve the Leuser Ecosystem, including supporting the Leuser Ecosystem Action Fund that provides grants for conservation efforts across the Ecosystem. 

A National Park Home to Critically Endangered Species   

Way Kambas is a lowland, coastal forest park home to Sumatran Rhino, Asian Elephant, and Tiger, but also rare species like the Flat-headed cat and the Malay Tapir. Re:wild supports park protection efforts through our local partner YABI while focusing on conserving the Sumatran Rhino. 

The Sumatran Rhino, one of the most iconic species on the island, is Critically Endangered, but the government of Indonesia is leading an ambitious effort to save and rewild the species. The rhinos are found in small isolated populations, which has made it hard for them to easily find each other to breed. Under the direction of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s Sumatran Rhino Emergency Action Plan, the Sumatran Rhino Survival Alliance— which includes Re:wild— supports the government of Indonesia’s national Sumatran Rhino breeding program, which will relocate select rhinos to join an emergency conservation breeding program.