Tanjung Puting – Orang Utan Conservation on Borneo

The Tanjung Puting National Park was established primarily for the protection of the Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). The orangutan of Kalimantan has dark reddish fur and no tail. As they get older, the adult males cheeks flesh out, resembling cushions. The older they get, the bigger these cheek flanges grow, giving them a fierce look. It is a conservation area that has several ecosystem types such as lowland tropical rain forest, dryland forest, freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest, coastal forest, and secondary forest. It is the largest and the only protected area in South East Asia that provide breeding grounds for a wide population of waterfowl.

Tanjung Puting National Park is divided into four areas, each highlighting a different set of natural resources. First, Camp Leakey area, is devoted to the research and rehabilitation of adult orangutans. Second, Tanjung Harapan area, was developed for ecotourism, and hosts the information center, guest house, watch tower and camping ground. Third, Pantai Sungai Cabang area, is located alongside a white sand beach along with guest houses, an information center, shelter, watch tower, camp ground, dock and various other tourist activities. And fourth, Pondok Tanggui area, is home to pre-wild and adolescent orangutans.

Tanjung Putting National Park is also inhabited by various species of mammals. Among them is the best known species that makes the National Park best known, orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), bekantan (Nasalis larvatus) - a large monkey which is found only in Borneo, long tail macaque (Macaca fascicularis), maroon leaf monkey (presbistis rubicunda), Agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis), grey gibbon (Hylobates mulleri), and Malayan sun bear (Helarctus malayanus). The types of large mammals such as kijang sambar, deer (Muntiacus muntjak), kancil (Tragulus javanicus), and wild lige (Sus barbatus) can be found in this area. In fact, several species of mammals such as water cow (Dugong dugong) and dolphins (the locals call it as Pesut) seen in the waters around the Park area.

Tanjung Puting National Park lies in Kotawaringin Region, Province of Central Kalimantan, Borneo Island, Republic of Indonesia

Komodo Island – Habitat of Ancient Dragon

Komodo National Park was established to conserve the unique Komodo Dragon and protect its entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin. As well as being habitat of the largest known lizard, the world famous Komodo Dragon, Komodo National Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, Sunda deer (Cervus timorensis), wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), wild boar (Sus scrofa), the macaque monkey (Macaca fascicularis), and wild horse (Equus qaballus).

Moreover, the Park includes one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. It consists of forams, cnidaria (includes over 260 species of reef building coral), sponges (70 species), ascidians, marine worms, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous and bony fishes (over 1,000 species), sea turtles, and marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and dugongs). Some notable species with high commercial value include sea cucumbers (Holothuria), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and groupers.

The under water live and its ecosystems have been well known as the best diving site in the world. The water of Komodo National Park is very ideal place for many kinds of sea activites. It's just like the missing paradise for the underwater world lover. It has many excellent dive spots. It's vibrant color and exotic life will enchant divers and snorkelers.

Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area (marine and land) of 1817 km squares (603 km squares of it land). Most of the Park is dry, rugged and hilly, a combination of ancient volcanic eruptions and more recent tectonic uplift of sedimentary seabeds. The irregular coastline is indented with rocky headlands and sandy bays, many framed by soaring volcanic cliffs. Komodo island alone is 35km long and 15km wide, and is mountainous on a north to south axis, with an average altitude of 500-600m. The highest peak is Satalibo (735m) in the north. Most of the island is lontar palm savannah with remnates of rainforest and bamboo forest at higher elevations.

Komodo National Park lies on Lesser Sunda Islands (at a distance of 200 nautical miles to the east of Bali), Province of East Nusa Tenggara , Republic of Indonesia.