10 Animal Encounters in Indonesia
Indonesia captures the imagination of naturalists the world over, due to its staggering variety of flora and fauna and the rich biodiversity of its ecosystems. From Alfred Russell Wallace to David Attenborough, biologists, ornithologists, entomologists and animal lovers of all kinds have flocked here in search of new species and unforgettable animal encounters. Today, Indonesia remains one of the best places in the world to escape the human condition and get back to nature. In this article, we introduce you to 10 of the most extraordinary wild residents Indonesia has to offer.
10 Animal Encounters in Indonesia
Indonesia captures the imagination of naturalists the world over, due to its staggering variety of flora and fauna and the rich biodiversity of its ecosystems. From Alfred Russell Wallace to David Attenborough, biologists, ornithologists, entomologists and animal lovers of all kinds have flocked here in search of new species and unforgettable animal encounters. Today, Indonesia remains one of the best places in the world to escape the human condition and get back to nature. In this article, we introduce you to 10 of the most extraordinary wild residents Indonesia has to offer.
1. Orangutan
The name comes from the Malay language, meaning ‘man of the forest’, and this gentle ginger ape is one of our closest cousins; Orangutan share 96.4% of our genes. Dedicated and loving parents, these great apes are highly intelligent creatures, naturally inquisitive and known to use tools in their daily lives. With males weighing up to 200lbs, Orangutan are the largest arboreal mammal, spending most of their time in trees. Long, powerful arms and grasping hands and feet allow them to move through the branches and munch leisurely on wild fruits like lychees, mangosteens and figs. In Indonesia, you can come face to face with these gentle jungle statesmen in both Kalimantan and Sumatra.
2. Komodo Dragons
The Komodo dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) is straight out of legend. These huge, prehistoric monsters are the biggest lizards in the world, growing up to 3 metres in length and weighing in at a mighty 160kg. Voracious hunters, they can take down prey as big as deer and even buffalo. They’ve been known to take humans too. It was once thought that the dragons used deadly saliva containing toxic bacteria to poison their prey. Studies have now revealed that they are in fact venomous. Research into these superb goliaths has also revealed that they demonstrate the rare evolutionary trait of parthenogenesis – a remarkable process by which single females are able to clone themselves and reproduce asexually. Komodo dragons are at the top of the food chain on their Indonesian island homes of Komodo, Rinca and Flores. Visiting them is a trip back in time to a land where lizards rule.
3. Javanese Rhino
Java rhinos are the most threatened of the five rhino species. The last remaining animals are confined to the relative safety of Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, where much-needed hope for the critically endangered species has come in the form of three new calves. The calves—one female and two males—were spotted on camera trap footage from earlier this year, bringing the total number of Javan rhinos up to 60. There are none in captivity. This small population is the last hope of the species; a majestic and powerful reminder of the challenges facing the natural world.
4. Birds of Paradise
There are more than three-dozen species in the family Paradisaeidae, more commonly known as the birds of paradise. Found in forests of New Guinea, Papua and the surrounding islands, these extraordinary birds have captured the hearts and imagination of scientists, ornithologists, tribes people, travellers and natural history film makers the world over. This is the evolution of courtship display in the animal kingdom, taken to its apex. The male birds of paradise from each species combine breathtaking displays of colourful plumage, calls and intricately choreographed performances to attract a mate. For those who make the trip to these outer eastern recesses of the Indonesian archipelago, the displays will be just as captivating.
5. Sumatran Elephant
As recently as the 1980s, elephants were widespread throughout Sumatra, particularly in Riau Province. However, due to deforestation and loss of habitat to palm oil plantations, the current Sumatran elephant population is estimated at fewer than 3,000 wild individuals in 25 fragmented populations across the island. Despite their rapid decline, the elephants have friends in high places, with various organizations set up to protect this gentle giant. Seeking them out in their last remaining sanctuaries will give you an unforgettable encounter with one of Indonesia’s biggest and most beautiful creatures.
6. Gecko
You don’t have to travel deep into the wilderness for a wildlife encounter; sometimes nature comes to you. In the cities, suburbs and villages of Indonesia, many delicate species of gecko, known as cicak, make their homes and hunt around the buzzing electric lights of human habitation. Listen out for the distinctive call of the Tokek; a colourful monster among the gecko family who sings his song from the rafters.
7. Anoa
Known as the world’s smallest buffalo, the Anoa – or Sapi Utan – can be found grazing in the highland and lowland rainforests of Sulawesi. Diminuitive, skittish and illusive, the Anoa are wary of humans, as they are commonly hunted for food by the forest people. Encounters with them are not entirely rare, but fleeting glimpses of this delicate creature are exhilarating nonetheless.
8. Tarsier
Also known as ‘jungle gremlins’ tarsiers are small primates, no bigger than the palm of your hand and weighing around 150g. Their incredibly large eyes can rotate 180 degrees and provide excellent night vision for hunting insects in the dark. Sometimes referred to as the smallest monkey in the world, the tarsier is something of an enigma in science, as it defies clear classification as either a monkey or lemur. It is thought to share its origins with a common ancestor of the apes and modern man. Looking into those big, beautiful eyes is certainly an unforgettable animal encounter.
9. Sea Turtles
Among the 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, many beautiful beaches and reefs provide shelter, food and nesting sites for a variety of sea turtles, including Hawksbill and Greens. Travellers can enjoy memorable dives with these gentle ocean trekkers at hotspots all over Indonesia. Several islands are also home to breeding programs, which allow you to get up close to hatchlings and help them take their first steps out in to the wild blue yonder.
10. Sumatran Tigers
Sumatran tigers are the smallest surviving tiger subspecies. The last of Indonesia’s tigers (fewer than 400) are holding on for survival in the remaining patches of forests on the island of Sumatra. Accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching mean this noble creature could soon end up like its extinct Javan and Balinese relatives. The island of Sumatra is the only place in the world where tigers, rhinos, orangutan and elephants live together. The presence of the Sumatran tiger is an important indicator of a forest's biodiversity. Protecting tigers and their habitat means many other species benefit—not least those of us who are lucky enough to witness those stunning stripes in their natural habitat.
1. Orangutan
The name comes from the Malay language, meaning ‘man of the forest’, and this gentle ginger ape is one of our closest cousins; Orangutan share 96.4% of our genes. Dedicated and loving parents, these great apes are highly intelligent creatures, naturally inquisitive and known to use tools in their daily lives. With males weighing up to 200lbs, Orangutan are the largest arboreal mammal, spending most of their time in trees. Long, powerful arms and grasping hands and feet allow them to move through the branches and munch leisurely on wild fruits like lychees, mangosteens and figs. In Indonesia, you can come face to face with these gentle jungle statesmen in both Kalimantan and Sumatra.
2. Komodo Dragons
The Komodo dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) is straight out of legend. These huge, prehistoric monsters are the biggest lizards in the world, growing up to 3 metres in length and weighing in at a mighty 160kg. Voracious hunters, they can take down prey as big as deer and even buffalo. They’ve been known to take humans too. It was once thought that the dragons used deadly saliva containing toxic bacteria to poison their prey. Studies have now revealed that they are in fact venomous. Research into these superb goliaths has also revealed that they demonstrate the rare evolutionary trait of parthenogenesis – a remarkable process by which single females are able to clone themselves and reproduce asexually. Komodo dragons are at the top of the food chain on their Indonesian island homes of Komodo, Rinca and Flores. Visiting them is a trip back in time to a land where lizards rule.
3. Javanese Rhino
Java rhinos are the most threatened of the five rhino species. The last remaining animals are confined to the relative safety of Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, where much-needed hope for the critically endangered species has come in the form of three new calves. The calves—one female and two males—were spotted on camera trap footage from earlier this year, bringing the total number of Javan rhinos up to 60. There are none in captivity. This small population is the last hope of the species; a majestic and powerful reminder of the challenges facing the natural world.
4. Birds of Paradise
There are more than three-dozen species in the family Paradisaeidae, more commonly known as the birds of paradise. Found in forests of New Guinea, Papua and the surrounding islands, these extraordinary birds have captured the hearts and imagination of scientists, ornithologists, tribes people, travellers and natural history film makers the world over. This is the evolution of courtship display in the animal kingdom, taken to its apex. The male birds of paradise from each species combine breathtaking displays of colourful plumage, calls and intricately choreographed performances to attract a mate. For those who make the trip to these outer eastern recesses of the Indonesian archipelago, the displays will be just as captivating.
5. Sumatran Elephant
As recently as the 1980s, elephants were widespread throughout Sumatra, particularly in Riau Province. However, due to deforestation and loss of habitat to palm oil plantations, the current Sumatran elephant population is estimated at fewer than 3,000 wild individuals in 25 fragmented populations across the island. Despite their rapid decline, the elephants have friends in high places, with various organizations set up to protect this gentle giant. Seeking them out in their last remaining sanctuaries will give you an unforgettable encounter with one of Indonesia’s biggest and most beautiful creatures.
6. Gecko
You don’t have to travel deep into the wilderness for a wildlife encounter; sometimes nature comes to you. In the cities, suburbs and villages of Indonesia, many delicate species of gecko, known as cicak, make their homes and hunt around the buzzing electric lights of human habitation. Listen out for the distinctive call of the Tokek; a colourful monster among the gecko family who sings his song from the rafters.
7. Anoa
Known as the world’s smallest buffalo, the Anoa – or Sapi Utan – can be found grazing in the highland and lowland rainforests of Sulawesi. Diminuitive, skittish and illusive, the Anoa are wary of humans, as they are commonly hunted for food by the forest people. Encounters with them are not entirely rare, but fleeting glimpses of this delicate creature are exhilarating nonetheless.
8. Tarsier
Also known as ‘jungle gremlins’ tarsiers are small primates, no bigger than the palm of your hand and weighing around 150g. Their incredibly large eyes can rotate 180 degrees and provide excellent night vision for hunting insects in the dark. Sometimes referred to as the smallest monkey in the world, the tarsier is something of an enigma in science, as it defies clear classification as either a monkey or lemur. It is thought to share its origins with a common ancestor of the apes and modern man. Looking into those big, beautiful eyes is certainly an unforgettable animal encounter.
9. Sea Turtles
Among the 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago, many beautiful beaches and reefs provide shelter, food and nesting sites for a variety of sea turtles, including Hawksbill and Greens. Travellers can enjoy memorable dives with these gentle ocean trekkers at hotspots all over Indonesia. Several islands are also home to breeding programs, which allow you to get up close to hatchlings and help them take their first steps out in to the wild blue yonder.
10. Sumatran Tigers
Sumatran tigers are the smallest surviving tiger subspecies. The last of Indonesia’s tigers (fewer than 400) are holding on for survival in the remaining patches of forests on the island of Sumatra. Accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching mean this noble creature could soon end up like its extinct Javan and Balinese relatives. The island of Sumatra is the only place in the world where tigers, rhinos, orangutan and elephants live together. The presence of the Sumatran tiger is an important indicator of a forest's biodiversity. Protecting tigers and their habitat means many other species benefit—not least those of us who are lucky enough to witness those stunning stripes in their natural habitat.
