The Way Kambas National Park wardens have reminded the public that the Way Kambas National Park in Lampung habitat of the Sumatra elephants, tigers, rhinos and other endangered animals has been temporarily closed to the public since October 1 for restoration. The park will be reopened next month on December 2.

Spokesman for the Park, Sukatmoko, said that the closure is aimed to allow the ecosystem and the environment in the park to restore. He, therefore, urges tourists and visitors alike to reschedule their visit to December and beyond.

The extensive 125,621 hectares Way Kambas Park is home to a number of endangered and protected wildlife. It is best known for the home of the Sumatran elephants (elephas maximus sumatranus), but here are also protected Sumatran rhinos (dicerorhinus sumatrensis), Sumatran tigers (panthera tigris sumatrae), tapirs (tapirus indicus), and the mentok rimba (cairina scutulata).

The Way Kambas National Park, located at the most-southern end of the island of Sumatra, is a lowland tropical forest at an altitude of between 50 to 100 meters above sea level comprised mostly of savannas and swamps.

The park is surrounded by three rivers, being the Way Penet, flowing 30 km to its south; the Way Gadungan, 65 km in length to its north; and the Way Sukadana, stretching18 km located to its west. East of the park the coast faces the Indian Ocean that stretches 65 km along the park.

These conditions are very conducive as a habitat for the above rare animals.

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