Sebangau
Located in the southern fringes of Central Kalimantan (Borneo), Sebangau National Park is located between Sebangau River and Katingan River. The location is remaining peat swamp forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, after the central government initiated of the agricultural peat land project to the Mega Rice Project or 'One Million Hectares Area' in 1995. Peat land in Central Kalimantan had been severely damaged by development activities, forest fires and illegal logging.
Covering an area of 568.700 hectares in the regency of Katingan, Pulang Pisau and the city of Palangkaraya, the park is a combination of the subtypes of mixed swampy forest, transitional forest, lowland canopy forest and granite forest, where there are 116 species of birds, 36 species of fish, 35 species of mammals with Orangutan as flagship species about 9000 individuals, and about 166 species of flora.
Tumbang Bulan, Koran river, Punggu alas lake is several locations in Sebangau where Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) can be viewed in their natural habitat. Bekantan and Gibbon can be seen in the Habaring Hurung subdistrict in Palangka Raya and forest along Katingan River, while rare birds like Rhinoceros hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros) flock to the banks of the Sebangau River. Sebangau National Park serves as the largest Orangutan habitat in the whole of Kalimantan, even the world. But, you have to know it easier to see Orangutan especially on fruits seasons (beginning of rainy seasons on December - January) or stay browsing around the forest for few days.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF0 Indonesia campaigned to establish the park, which was gazetted in 2004, and the organization remains at the forefront at involving nearby resident in low-impact logging, home industry, reforestation and ecotourism. Thus, providing balance harmony between the preservation of Orangutan and the community.
Latest development based on genetic research by Zhang (2001) and Taxonomy by Groves (1999) revealed that Borneo Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), is of a different species form the Sumatran Pongo Abelli. The Borneo Orangutan has a distinctive body shape with very long arms that may reach up to two meters in length. They have a coarse, shaggy reddish coat and grasping hands and feet. Thea are highly sexually dimorphic, with adult males being distinguished by their large size, throat pouch and flanges on either side or the face, kown as known as cheek padw. The Borneo Orangutan travels on the ground more than ist Sumatran counterpart. It is theorized this may be partly because here there is no need to avoid large predators as found in Sumatra, including the Sumatran Tigers.
Some of the particular animals that roam freely in these forests include : Southern pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina), Kelasi (Presbytis rubicunda), Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), Sun Bears (Helarctos malayanus), Forest cats (Felis bangalensis), Chipmunks (Exilisciurus axilis), Hornbills or Enggang Gunung (A. undulatus), Enggang gading (Buceros vigil), Enggang Badak (Buceros rhinoceros), Swamp heron (Ciconia storml), Pecuk ular (Anhinga melanogaster), Cangak merah (Ardea purpurea), Cangak laut (Ardea sumatrana), Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayaensis), Catfish (Clarias sp.), Papuyu (Anabas festudineus), Kakapar (Belontia hesselti) and Sambaling (Betta sp.). Among some of the flora found in the park are : Jelutung (Dyera Iowii), Belangeran (Shorea balangeran), Pulai (Alstonia angustifolia), Ulin wood,Deer horn orchids and Black orchids.
Amidst the peat swamp forests, the national park also offers beautiful scenery of pristine hills. From the top of Bukit Batu or Roch Hill, one overlooks the Sebangau National Parks and all its fascinating scenery. The hill is also the perfect spot for bird watching since White Herone Swallows, Green Cucaks, Keruang, Kepodang, and Bald Eagles are among some of the exotic birds that nest here on the hills. A long and challenging trek is available at Bukit Bulan or the Moon Hills. A unique ecosystem of peat swamps and granite rocks is observable at Bukit Kaki or Foot Hill. The granite rocks cause a dry environment and thus the trees are different from those in the surrounding environment.
Declared by Minister of Forestry No. 423/Menhut-II/2004, October 10, 2004.
Tumbang Bulan, Koran river, Punggu alas lake is several locations in Sebangau where Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) can be viewed in their natural habitat. Bekantan and Gibbon can be seen in the Habaring Hurung subdistrict in Palangka Raya and forest along Katingan River, while rare birds like Rhinoceros hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros) flock to the banks of the Sebangau River. Sebangau National Park serves as the largest Orangutan habitat in the whole of Kalimantan, even the world. But, you have to know it easier to see Orangutan especially on fruits seasons (beginning of rainy seasons on December - January) or stay browsing around the forest for few days.
Latest development based on genetic research by Zhang (2001) and Taxonomy by Groves (1999) revealed that Borneo Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), is of a different species form the Sumatran Pongo Abelli. The Borneo Orangutan has a distinctive body shape with very long arms that may reach up to two meters in length. They have a coarse, shaggy reddish coat and grasping hands and feet. Thea are highly sexually dimorphic, with adult males being distinguished by their large size, throat pouch and flanges on either side or the face, kown as known as cheek padw. The Borneo Orangutan travels on the ground more than ist Sumatran counterpart. It is theorized this may be partly because here there is no need to avoid large predators as found in Sumatra, including the Sumatran Tigers.
