:: Ujung Kulon National Park - West Java Travel
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Ujung Kulon National Park is
located at the western-most tip of Java, Indonesia. It
includes the volcanic island group of Krakatoa and other
islands including Handeuleum and Peucang. The park
encompasses an area of 1,206 km˛ (443 km˛ marine), most
of which lies on a peninsula reaching into the Indian
Ocean.
It is Indonesia's first national park and was declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 for containing the
largest remaining lowland rainforest in Java. It is also
one of only two homes of the critically endangered Javan
Rhinoceros. A population of fifty to sixty live in Ujung
Kulon, a smaller population of possibly 10 or less, live
in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam. The mainland part of
Ujung Kulon was formerly farmland until it was
devastated and depopulated by the 1883 eruption of
Krakatoa after which it returned to its original
forested state.
Permits for the park are available at the town of Labuan,
where there is a National Park office. There is also an
office at Tamanjaya. Accommodation is available on
Handeuleum and Peucang islands.
This national park, located in the extreme south-western
tip of Java on the Sunda shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon
peninsula and several offshore islands and encompasses
the natural reserve of Krakatoa. In addition to its
natural beauty and geological interest – particularly
for the study of inland volcanoes – it contains the
largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in the
Java plain. Several species of endangered plants and
animals can be found there, the Javan rhinoceros being
the most seriously under threat.
760
sq km of the peninsula and sea on Java's very remote
south-western tip is devoted to Ujung Kulon National
Park. Several offshore islands are included in the
reserve, Peucang, Panaitan and one of which is the
remains of a pre-16th century volcano. In 1883 the
island of Rakata Besar exploded dramatically. It lost
about half of its land area in the process and sent
tidal waves across the Indian Ocean causing the deaths
of 36,000 people. The smoking cone which can be seen
today signals Anak Krakatau, offspring of the famous
Krakatau. It appeared in 1929 and has continued to grow
steadily; Java is one of the most geologically active
places in the world.
Ujung
Kulon has large tracts of undisturbed lowland
rainforest, swamps and beaches. Because it is protected
on three sides by sea, and on the fourth by the Honje
mountains, it has provided a refuge for wildlife, some
of which are now rare in the rest of heavily populated
Java (population: over 100 million).
In the mid-1950s only 20-25 tigers remained on Java;
half of these were in Ujung Kulon, but these are known
to have vanished by the 1960s. The exact time of
extinction for the Javan tiger remains unknown, but this
was probably sometime in the 1980s. It was after this
time, between 1980 and 1986 that the number of wild
areas of Indonesia officially designated National Parks
rose from five to sixteen. Ujung Kulon was one of the
earliest preserved areas, first being protected in 1910,
then declared a reserve in 1937. Come 1980 the
designation was changed and became Indonesia 's first
National park.
Ujung Kulon has always been of extremely high
conservation value and contains several species of e
ndangered
or threatened animals. Oriental small-clawed otters,
hornbills, leopards, Asian wild dogs, Javan leaf
monkeys, crocodiles, green peafowl, Javan gibbons, Javan
warty pigs, green turtles, milky storks and Banteng wild
cattle all make their homes here. In total, over 350
species of animals and 250 species of birds have so far
been recorded here.
The most important resident of the park is the Javan or
Lesser One-horned rhinoceros. This is the most
endangered large mammal in the world and only two wild
populations remain (there are no Javan rhinoceros in
captivity). Ujung Kulon contains 50-60 animals while Cat
Tien National Park in Vietnam has another 10-15 with
different physical characteristics. The two subspecies
used to be common over India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China,
Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia,
Sumatra and Java.
In an attempt to save the small stable population in
Ujung Kulon, efforts are being made to prevent t
he
illegal access which is gained both from land and sea.
Though the number of rhino is not increasing, the age
structure shows change, so it is thought the amount of
poaching is higher than originally considered. This
cancels out the expected yearly population increases.
Having said that, there have indeed been some rises in
numbers. Back in 1967 Ujung Kulon rhino plunged to an
all time low of 21-28 animals.
The population originally came under threat due to loss
of habitat, and medicine or sport hunting. Male rhino
are most at risk from poaching as they have the dense
formation of hair which makes up a large horn. Females
usually have no horn, and when they do, it's
insignificant. As with tiger bone, rhino horn is highly
valued in traditional Asian medicine, and also in common
with the tiger, there is no proof it has anymore effect
than a placebo. Its primary use is as an aphrodisiac.
It
is possible the present population may be at or near
carrying capacity; the park maximum is estimated to be
in the region of 80-100 rhino. Translocation of excess
animals to restock Vietnam is not able to be done. The
two groups are very different and cross-breeding is not
thought to be possible. Translocation of rhino is very
difficult anyway with low survival rates. Even if placed
in captivity these large mammals would have a very high
mortality (about 30%); this is usual for captive rhino.
Fecal DNA analysis and camera traps are being utilised
to gain a better understanding of the current
population. Habitat, food availability, and the
possibility of translocation are also under examination.
Like
all Indonesian National Parks Ujung Kulon continues to
increase in popularity. Though reaching Ujong Kulon is
expensive and usually involves a long boat ride which,
except for the dry season, can be a rough trip, it is
now one of the most popular National Parks on Java. Even
the thought of the recommended malaria shots don't seem
to put visitors off. Fortunately, access to the area is
strictly controlled and a permit must be gained for
entry, while guides are required for those wanting to
hike through the park.
Ujung Kulon National Park is
the first national park, founded in Indonesia. The park
(80,000 ha) lies on a peninsula in south-west Java and
includes the islands Pulau Peucang, Pulau Panaitan and
the Krakatau archipelago. On 1 February, 1992, the
Proposed Ujung Kulon National Park complex and the
Krakatau Islands Nature Reserve were declared a World
Heritage Site. The borders on the north, south and west
side of Ujung Kulon are made up by the Indian Ocean. The
Honje mountain range, including the highest point of the
park Gunung Honje (620 m), forms the eastern border. The
Indian Ocean is the main access route.
Single-horned
RhinocerousHabitats in the park consists of lowland
rainforest, swamp, mangrove and beach forest. Vegetation
on Pulau Panaitan consists of dry-beach forest, mangrove
forest and lowland rain forest which is characterized by
an abudance of palms. On Anak Krakatau, the island that
came into existence after the Krakatau exploded, flora
and fauna are still young. Small animals and birds
gradually colonize the lava island. The principal flora
consists of grasslands, beach forest, lowland rain
forest and moss forests at the higher altitudes. The
most important reason to declare Ujung Kulon a National
Park is the existence of the almost-extinct Javan
Rhinoceroses in the area. The population of these
extremely endangered animals in Ujung Kulon is estimated
to be 50-60.
Getting There
Ujung
Kulon National Park is accessible by boat (5-6 hour)
from Labuan. You can get to Labuan by minibus from
Jakarta (3-4 hour) or Bogor. An other possibility is to
take a bus with destination Merak from Kalideres bus
station in Jakarta. Get out in Cilegon and from there
catch a bus to Labuan.The boat from Labuan leaves for
Pulau Peucang or Tamanjaya.
The beach of Ujung KulonComing from Sumatra by ferry,
your journey will end in Merak. From Merak, take the bus
to Jakarta, jump off in Cilegon and from there see
above. There may be minibuses going all the way from
Merak to Labuan. A cheaper alternative to access the
park runs over land. From Labuan you may take the HM
minibus (from Serang bus station) or a taxi to Tamanjaya
(about Rp. 25,000, 3,5 hrs). In Tamanjaya you'll be able
to arrange a boat to Pulau Peucang (Rp. 700,000), Pulau
Handeleum (Rp. 200,000) or Pulau Panaitan (Rp. 900,000);
mooring and boat entry permits are not included.
Krakatau is best visited from Labuan.
Where to Stay
Permits, local guides speaking only bahasa Indonesia
(about Rp. 30,000/day, excluding meals and cigarettes),
English-speaking guides (Rp. 100,000/day, excluding
meals and cigarettes) and accommodation can be arranged
at the PHPA office in Labuan, or at Kagum in Jakarta.
You can also find accomodation in Ujung Kulon. But it's
always best to plan ahead.
Moving Around
Navigate around the park on foot. If it's your first
time here, you may want to consider hiring an
English-speaking guide.
Dining Guide
Although you can order meals at places of
accomodation, you should bring your own food for the
trip.
Souvenir Tips
Unfortunately, not much to hope for. There may be
some rhinoceros figures for sale, but you'll have to
keep a keen eye on the quality. Ask your guide for
keepsake recommendation, things that you're allowed to
pick up along the way and will remind you for this
pleasant experience.
Other Things to See or Do
Round Pulau Peucang and Pulau Panaitan you'll be
able to snorkel and dive among beautiful coral reefs.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit the park is April to August,
when the sea is calm, so you won't get seasick.
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