TAMAN NASIONAL
TANJUNG PUTING
Geographical location : 111°42-112°14 E; 2°33-3°32 S
Administrative location : Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah (Kabupaten
Kotawaringin)
Area : 415,040 hectares
Temperature : 22° - 33° C
Rainfall : 2,400 mm/annual (average)
Altitude 0 - 100 masl
Best time to visit : June - September
(Tanjung Puting National Park) has several ecosystem types: lowland
tropical rain forest, dryland forest, freshwater swamp forest, mangrove forest,
coastal forest, and secondary forest. The park is dominated by lowland forest
plants like jelutung (Dyera costulata), ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), meranti
(Shorea sp.), keruing (Dipterocarpus sp.), and rattans.
It is Home of endangered and protected species of animal inhabiting
the Park include the orangutan (Pongo satyrus), proboscis monkey (Nasalis
larvatus), maroon leaf monkey (Presbytis rubicunda rubida), sun bear (Helarctos
malayanus euryspilus), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus klossii),
clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis
borneoensis).
This park was the first in Indonesia to become a rehabilitation centre
for orangutans. There are now three orangutan rehabilitation locations, in Tanjung
Harapan, Pondok Tanggui, and Camp Leakey.
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.
UNESCO has declared this park as a Biosphere Reserve, and it is also a
Sister Park to Taman Negara Malaysia under a cooperation agreement between
Indonesia and Malaysia.
Interesting locations/attractions :
Tanjung Harapan : this is the first station in the orangutan
rehabilitation process. Situated in the midst of secondary forest and swamp
forest, it has a guesthouse, an information centre, and trails.
Pondok Tanggui : orangutans that have passed the semi-wild phase are
moved to Pondok Tanggui. There, they are closely monitored from a distance, and
human contact is avoided.
Camp Leakey : founded in 1971 in the middle of primary forest, this is
the location for semi-wild and wild orangutans, and for younger orangutans from
birth until three years of age.
Natai Lengkuas : bekantan research station, and watching other animals
along the river.
Sungai Buluh and Danau Burung : watching birds, in particular migrant
species.
Among the cultural attractions outside the Park is a traditional
rowing contest held in Pangkalan Bun in May each year.