Ujung Kulon National Park: The Last Sanctuary of The Javan Rhinos

AFB - The last sanctuary of the Javan rhinoceros, the Ujung Kulon National Park is the triangular peninsula situated at the south western-most tip of Java. Ujung Kulon is Indonesia first and prime National Park, which was designated as a nature reserve since 1921.  This is the largest remaining lowland tropical rainforest ecosystem in West Java. And, together with the awesome Krakatau volcano the 137,000 hectares Park was declared Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Ujung Kulon is the habitat of the rhino (badak) of which only 60 survive today. Seeing one of these animals is very rare since they are shy and are traceable only at night. Here also roam free some endangered animals like leopard cats, gibbons, long-tailed macaques, leaf-monkeys, crocodiles, muntjaks, mousedeer and herds of grazing wild oxen. In the Park’s surrounding seas are found the great clam, clown fish, angel fish, parrot fish, mudskippers which can climb trees, and archer fish, which spit water up to a height of more than two meters to catch insects.

The Ujung Kulon Park is also rich in plant life. It has 700 species of plants with some 57 categorized as endangered species, including various species of orchids.

Visitors to the Park may enjoy fast flowing rivers, waterfalls, white sandy beaches, thermal springs, and beautiful sea gardens

Best site to observe animals is at Handeuleum Island. From here one can further explore rivers and mangrove forests. While Peucang Island is ideal for snorkeling, diving and fishing with its clear blue water, white beaches and coral reefs.

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