Sunday, June 06, 2010

Tapir

Tapir is a large browsing mammal, it looks like a pig. There are four species of tapirs : Brazilian Tapir, Malayan Tapir, Baird's Tapir and Mountain Tapir. Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus) is the species that live in South-east Asia. All four species are endangered or vulnerables. They are frequently live in dryland forests. The tapir's diet consists of fruits, leaves, and berries.

There are several number of conservation programs around the world, for example, The Tapir Specialists Group, a unit of IUCN Species Survival Commission. Did you know? 27 April 2008 is the World Tapir Day. That day is to establish awareness to this four species of tapir.


Carnaval of Flora and fauna Indonesia

Hi all,

this short video will give us a better understanding about Indonesia. As we know that Indonesia is a tropical country and has a lot of variety of flora and fauna. This video will give you an introduction of flora and fauna in Indonesia as well as the threat they are facing. We hope after you watch this video, you can take part as individual to protect flora and fauna not only in Indonesia but also anywhere else around the world. As for foreigners who want to visit Indonesia we hope to see you soon here.

Enjoy the show and welcome to Indonesia.....!!

Saturday, June 05, 2010

National Flowers of Indonesia

On 5 June 1990, President Soeharto declared National Flowers of Indonesia that can represent the character of Indonesia. There are :
  1. Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) - A small white flower with sweet fragrance,

  2. Moon Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis) - A small beautiful flower that represent the beauty of Indonesia,

  3. Rafflesia Arnoldii (Rafflesia Arnoldii) - A big unique flower that only can found in Indonesia.

source : www.wikipedia.com

Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is only can found in Sumatra Island, the characteristics of this tigers are their body is very big, the weight is 115-180 kg body, the length is 140-180 cm high, withers 0-90 cm. The Sumatran tigers is also fast swimmer, its habitats range from lowland forests to submountain forests and mountain forests, included peat-swamp forests. Many habitats are unprotected, so there are many deforestations and many tigers are killed by wild hunters.

The status of this tigers are Critically Endangered. Recently, there are many programs that want to save Sumatran Tiger, for example, Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program and Indonesia established cooperation with Australian Zoo for the Sumatran Tiger conservation and other endangered species.


Javan Gibbon ( Silvery Gibbon )


The Javan Gibbon or Silvery Gibbon (Hylobates moloch), lives exclusively in Java Island, they are a very active animal. As you can see in the picture, their skin grey colour with a dark grey or black cap. Like all gibbons, they have no tail and their arms is very long compared with their body.


Unfortunately, Javan Gibbon is almost forgotten by other people, you can called it "Javan Gibbon is the lost green jewel stone". The Javan Gibbon is the most threatened primates ( basen on IUCN list in 2009 ). Habitats loss cause the population of this gibbon reduces rapidly, also illegal pet trade. To prevent of all this things Indonesia build Gunung Halimun National Park that sustain population 1,000 gibbons. And also, severals zoo operate Javan Gibbon breeding programs.

Javan Hawk-eagle

The Javan Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi) is the endemic of Indonesia. Javan Hawk-eagle distributed in humid tropical forests of Java Island.


The size approximately 61 cm long and have dark-brown feather. The Javan Hawk-eagle is a national bird of Indonesia, where it is commonly referred to as Garuda.


The status of this birds is Endangered, because habitats loss, small population size, limited range and hunting in some areas.

Bali Starling ( Jalak Bali )


Bali Starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) are one of the endemic species in Indonesia. The length of this birds approximately 25 cm, their body covered by smoothy white feather with black tips in their wings and tail.

The distribution of Bali Starling is on the Bali island in Indonesia. Bali Starling also a symbol of Bali's fauna.

The status of this birds are Critically Endangered, why? Because many hunters interest to this birds and want taking them as their pets.

Bali Starling is protected by Indonesian's Law and also there are some foundation that taking care of them from wild hunters and ensure they got a better life.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Orangutans

Orangutans means "people of the trees". Orangutans are only can found in rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Orangutans have a very large, bulky body, thick neck, very long and strong arms. They are mostly covered by reddish-brown hair.
Their behavior mostly same like humans, for example, they can use their hands to eat, pick something, or using tools. They also can smile when you taking picture of them and they also can angry when you disturbing them.

Facts about orangutans :
  • Orangutans are very smart animals.
  • Orangutans are the only apes live in Asia. All other apes live in Africa.
  • The orangutan is the largest tree-living animal in the world.
  • Orangutans eat more than 300 kinds of fruit.
  • Female orangutans have babies about once every eight years. A baby usually stays with its mother for 10 or more years.

But nowadays the population of orangutans decrease significantly, because many people use their habitats to build industry areas, or living areas. Indonesia have some conservation areas to save them, for examples, Tanjung Puting National Park and Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan. And orangutans also have foundations, Borneo Survival Foundation, found by Dr. Willie Smits.

source : www.educationworld.com and www.wikipedia.com

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Vulnerables Species in Indonesia


Based on IUCN List, there are some vulnerables species in Indonesia, it means that the species is high risk of endangerment in the wild. There are :


  1. Javan Hawk-eagle (Nisateus bartelsi)

  2. Tapir (Tapirus indicus)

  3. Orang Utan (Pongo borneo)

  4. Sumatran Tiger (Phantera tigris sumatrae) -> status : Critically endangered

  5. Sea-Turtle (Chelonioidea)

  6. Javan Gibbon or Silvery Gibbon (Hylobates moloch)

  7. Anoa (Bubalus quartesi)

  8. Rafflesia Arnoldii (Rafflesia Arnoldii)

  9. Bali Starling / Jalak Bali (Leucopsar rothschildi) -> Status : Critically endangered

source : www.wikipedia.com

Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon is the largest species in lizards, you can find Komodo Dragon in Indonesian islands which is Komodo Island, Flores, Rinca, and Gili Motang. The length is 2 - 3 meters and weight around 70 kilograms.

Komodo is a carnivore, it also has a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue. IUCN announced that the status of Komodo Dragon is Vulnerable. Nowadays, Komodo are under protected by Indonesian law and a national park, Komodo National Park.

Many domestic tourists, even foreign tourists, visit to Komodo National Park. They want to see and get unforgettable moments or maybe a new experience that they can't get in other country.

Birds of Paradise



This bird has a very beautiful name, Paradise. They have very exotic and beautiful feathers that can make people impressed.

Birds of Paradise lives in Moluccas of Indonesia ( Sulawesi Island ), but its only few species. The diet of all these species is dominated by fruits and some arthropods. They are usually live in rainforest habitats.

In reality, many people trade this animals, why? Because people sell their feathers and skins, it is has been going on for two thousand years. A number of species are threatened by hunting and habitats loss.

It is very horrible!!.......

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Nepenthes (Kantong Semar)


The Nepenthes popularly known as Tropical Pitcher Plants or Monkey Cups. The greatest diversity occurs in Sumatra and Borneo with many endemic species.

The research shown that this plant have a trap that consists of liquid, this liquid can traps the insects and many different species. So, Nepenthes is a predator and its environment as their prey ( examples : ants, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, etc. ). The most uncommon prey for Nepenthes includes rats found in N. rajah.

But in facts, there are some organisms spend at least part of their lives within the pitchers of Nepenthes. For instance, mosquitos larvae lives in Nepenthes, others are fly larvae, spiders, ants, and even a crab.

Rafflesia Arnoldii


Rafflesia Arnoldii grows in Indonesia rainforests, especially in Sumatra and Borneo. This flower is one of the biggest flower (approximately 1.00 metres) and have a reddish-brown coloration and stink of rotting flesh.

It is rare and hardly to locate. Because when the flower as a bud, it is take many months to develop and the flower just bloom in few days. Many are known to be nearing extinction, so nowadays, the flower is taken to be conserve
.