The forest in Taï is primary rainforest – that means it has never been cut down and replanted. Trees here are hundreds of years old and grow so tall and thick that the canopy blocks out much of the sunlight, keeping the forest floor cool and dark even on the hottest days.
Taï is especially famous for its chimpanzees. Scientists have studied the chimpanzees here for decades and discovered that they use stone tools to crack open nuts – a skill they teach their babies. This makes the Taï chimpanzees one of the best-studied groups of animals in the world.
The park is also home to pygmy hippos, forest elephants, and dozens of species of birds with brilliant colours. The sounds of the forest are extraordinary – frogs, insects, birds, and the distant calls of chimps all mix together into a constant, buzzing, chirping symphony.