For the fifth edition of its “On the Path to Enlightenment” route, the National Museum of Natural History is offering a journey to discover the biodiversity of tropical rainforests, combining natural history and awareness of the protection of this unique heritage.
The night is dark and damp. Here we are, walking slowly through the tropical forest of Africa from where animals of fabric and light emerge. Géraldine Véron, scientist and curator of the exhibition, guides us through this luminous jungle.
“ We wanted to enter India, in this typical tropical rainforest which evokes the Jungle Bookshe explains. We managed to build a tree more than ten meters high, which is quite exceptional compared to the structures we usually make. Above all, we wanted to show a very great diversity of plants and animals. This is the first time that there are so many different species of plants. The tropical rainforest is home to more than half of the species diversity on Earth. »
Read also“National Day of Trees”: in Kenya, a new public holiday for the environment is born
Giant Chinese lantern structures
Fearsome felines, Asian elephant, long-nosed monkey, three-toed sloth, blue tarantula or even orchids, butterflies… The giant Chinese lantern structures enlighten the visitor on biodiversity and endangered species. We find ourselves near a strange zebra with a bluish snout:
“ This okapiexplains the curator of the exhibition, is recognizable by its particular appearance which looks a bit like a zebra, but which can also evoke the giraffe with its long neck. It is a species that was discovered late and is significantly endangered. Thanks to conservation programs for this species, its situation has improved a little now. It remains a critically endangered species.. »
During the stroll, we are caught by the red tongue of a chameleon, charmed by the ballet of orchid mantises. It’s a grandiose spectacle, but the objective remains to learn things, as Géraldine Véron testifies: “ The structures remain lanterns, so we also have to make a compromise between what we can bring from a scientific point of view, such as the accuracy and shape of the plants and animals, and on the other hand, work on the animations and the spectacular side. Through wonder, we seek to draw attention to the animals, to bring knowledge. There are compromises to be made, obviously. »
On the menagerie side of the Jardin des Plantes, the flesh and blood animals seem to be asleep. They leave their place to their paper cousins. Magic operates and sows confusion between reality and fantasy.
Read alsoThe forest of tomorrow in the face of global warming