Indonesian Fauna Museum Introduces Various Local Wildlife

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The 'Museum Fauna Indonesia "Komodo" dan Taman Reptilia' or Indonesian Fauna Museum “Komodo” and Reptile Park at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) offers a unique experience. The museum’s exterior is designed to resemble the body of a Komodo dragon, an ancient reptile native to East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Based on the TMII website, this iconic museum stands on a 10,120-square-meter plot with a building area of 1,500 square meters. Construction began on October 1, 1975, and the museum was officially opened by President Soeharto on April 20, 1978.

This two-story museum features exhibits of taxidermied animals organized in a beautifully structured narrative. The animal collection is displayed based on geographical distribution zones, ranging from the western tip of Sumatra to the eastern tip of Papua.

In addition to geographic zoning, the exhibition layout is organized according to the elevation of the animals’ natural habitats. Visitors can observe the differences between animal species living in coastal areas versus those in high-altitude mountainous regions.

On the first floor, visitors can learn about hundreds of species of mammals, insects, and reptiles. The museum.co.id website states that there are more than 150 types of taxidermied animals on display in glass cases.

The museum displays rare animals such as tigers, elephants, and bears to raise awareness about environmental and conservation issues. Additionally, collections of butterflies, shells, crabs, and even scorpions are neatly arranged in a dedicated corner of the gallery.

Beyond the taxidermy specimens, the museum features an outdoor area housing a collection of live reptiles. Visitors can observe firsthand the behaviors of komodo, pythons, iguanas, turtles, and several species of swamp crocodiles.

For courageous visitors, a special area called Plaza Padar allows for direct interaction with pythons. This thrilling activity is perfectly safe, as it is always conducted under the close supervision of experts.