Komodo National Park in Indonesia

Scientists believe that there are still places on Earth where nature has not changed since the Jurassic period. To such, undoubtedly, it is possible to carry the National park-reserve in Indonesia - Komodo. In this article, we will make a small virtual journey to this amazing place.

Where is the Komodo National Park located?

A unique nature reserve is located in the border area between the provinces of the Western and Eastern Sunda Islands. The park includes three large islands - Rinka, Padar and Komodo, as well as many small islands. Their total area is 1733 square meters. Km, of which 603 square meters. Km fall on land.

History of the park

Komodo National Park, photo of which you can see below, was founded not so long ago - in 1980. First of all, it was created to protect the so-called Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) - the largest lizard in the world, which sometimes reaches three (and even more) meters in length and weighs more than 150 kg. It was first discovered in 1911 by Van Stein.

Later the park took under its protection and other terrestrial species of animals and marine life. In 1991, the Komodo National Park became a UNESCO protected site. Even later, it received the status of a biosphere reserve (Biosphere Reserve).

Climate

Since the Komodo National Park is located in Indonesia, there is a beautiful mild climate. Rainy here is the only month of the year - January. It is characterized by rapid downpours. In general, the climate on the archipelago is hot. This is due to the dry winds blowing from the desert. The highest temperature is 40 degrees, and the lowest temperature (in August) is 17 degrees. Islands of the archipelago are of volcanic origin, after a short rainy season they are covered with lush vegetation. The highest point on the island of Komodo is Satalibo (735 m).

Population

Komodo National Park, a photo of which can be seen in promotional brochures of various travel agencies, is inhabited by 2,000 people living on different islands. Indigenous people are mainly engaged in fishing, and often in their own fisheries use dynamite. Naturally, this causes irreparable damage to the ecology of the park, the condition of coral reefs, the population of fish and other underwater inhabitants. The administration conducts permanent work, offering the local population alternative types of fishing, in order to minimize the damage from poaching.

Fauna: an amazing "dragon"

Komodo National Park is famous throughout the world for giant lizards, which the indigenous people call dragons. At first glance, they seem slow and slow, nevertheless in the pursuit of prey, lizards develop quite a high speed.

With the tail, this "lizard" easily breaks a deer's legs, which after eating instantly. Komodo dragons do not have poisonous teeth, but despite this, their bite can become fatal to humans: dangerous pathogens live in the jaws of these huge reptiles.

From the history of dragons

It is remarkable that the creatures we are considering live only on these islands of Indonesia. They are of great interest to scientists involved in the theory of evolution. This lizard is called differently. Local residents call her "ora". On the islands of Flores and Rink, she is a land crocodile. Sometimes it is called a giant ram. But the people got accustomed to the name of a komodo.

It is the oldest species, whose ancestors lived more than 100 million years ago on our planet. The ancestors of the giant lizard appeared in Asia 40 million years ago. Subsequently, the animals evolved and acquired their modern appearance (it happened four million years ago). Komodo National Park is the only one in the world to boast the presence of a long-lived largest reptile. In natural conditions, the lizard lives over half a century. By sex, it is considered a dimorphic animal - males are significantly larger than females. The largest representative species (recorded) reached a length of 3.13 meters. Female average length does not exceed 2.5 meters.

Today, the Komodo National Park in Indonesia has more than 1,700 giant lizards on the island of the same name, over 1,200 individuals live on the island of Rincha. In addition to the mysterious huge lizards, the Komodo National Park has become home to rare animals such as the Timora deer, mangy zambar that occurs on the island of Sanda, the wild buffalo, the long-legged Javanese macaque and others.

Marine life

The main habitats of representatives of the underwater world are mangroves, coral reefs and the bottom, which cover numerous algae. The most popular among the tourists are animals of the park - sea turtles and green turtles, dolphins and sharks. Sometimes huge whales appear in the sea. They have an annual migration route running through the park's waters.

In dense algae, mangrove thickets and coral reefs live more than 1000 species of fish. The magnificent sea kingdom includes 260 species of amazing corals, 14 species of whales, 70 species of sponges, a huge number of dolphins and sea turtles. Between the reefs, sea grasses form submarine meadows, on which, in addition to fish, dugongs are grazed-rare mammals belonging to the order of sirens. For exciting diving, these places are a real paradise

Birds

In Komodo Park there are more than 150 species of birds, some of them are migrating, arriving from Asia and Australia. The most common cockatoo, white-chested sea eagle, fruit-bearing pigeon and male.

Flora

Almost the whole territory of the National Park is covered with arid hilly savannahs, on which grow tropical forests and a lot of palm trees. The coastline is literally rugged with picturesque sandy bays and stony capes framed by numerous volcanic rocks.

In the park, there are 19 species of mangrove trees. Their roots go under the water, forming a haven for unusual crabs-violinists, who received their name because of asymmetric limbs.

Rafflesia Arnold

Komodo National Park in Indonesia (photo you see in our article) will amaze tourists with an amazing plant. This is Arnold's Rafflesia - the largest flower on our planet. Its diameter reaches a meter, and weight - more than 10 kg. An unusual plant does not have its own roots, leaves and stem - it parasitizes on the stems of tropical lianas, drawing out juices from them.

Tiny in size (much less poppy), the seed with the wind falls into the crack of the bark of the plant, which is destined to feed the "parasite". It grows very quickly, and soon there is a huge, like a head of cabbage, a bud. After a while, it opens, and a flower appears, consisting of five crimson petals, covered with white, wart-like growths.

Unusual in size and appearance, the flower produces a hideous smell of rotten meat, which attracts flies. They stick to the plant and pollinate it. Four days later the flower fades, and within seven months a large fruit that is filled with seeds ripens and develops.

Hoping sweet

Another unusual plant that can be found in the reserve park is a tree that looks like our linden. Its height reaches 15 meters. In Indonesia it is called a candy tree. Its dry and unimaginative balls-fruits are inedible. But the thick and fleshy stems on which they hold contain up to 50% sucrose. They taste a little like raisins.

Local residents, especially children, shake the trunks of the hovens and collect the fallen "sweets" by kilograms. From one tree collect up to 35 kg of sweet delicacy.

Royal primrose

This plant-riddle settles on the slopes of active volcanoes. Indonesians call it "flower of anger". And we must admit, it is not in vain. Primrose flowering is usually a harbinger of an eruptive eruption. As soon as the flower dissolves, the inhabitants of nearby villages perceive this as a signal of danger. Surprisingly, the Queen's primrose has never given a false signal.

Komodo National Park: how to get there and where to live?

There is an opinion that only very wealthy people can visit Komodo Park. This is not quite true. All who decided to spend their holidays in Indonesia can visit this amazing place. The prices here practically do not differ from the generally accepted ones in the country, but the trip will give an unforgettable impression.

Basically, tourists arriving in Labuan Baggio, buy an organized tour for several nights. The trip to the park is carried out on small nice boats, which stand in the bay Labuan Baggio. They are equipped with comfortable cabins. Entrance fees to the park and meals are usually included in the cost of the trip.

You can use a public boat that goes to the park from Labuan Baggio on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is a more budget option. The excursion time is 4-5 hours depending on the wind and the size of the waves.

The entire territory of the island of Komodo belongs to the possessions of the national park and the biosphere reserve. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to build hotels, cafes and other objects of tourist infrastructure. Visitors to the park can stop at local residents in the village of Kampung Komodo. The most enterprising residents have opened Homestay (mini-hotels) in their homes.

Reviews of tourists

Today, a lot of our compatriots visited the Komodo National Park. Reviews about the trip they leave enthusiastic. Distance from civilization in combination with a unique fauna and flora make Komodo Park a real miracle, to look at which is interesting for adults and children alike.

Many call their trip a trip to the Jurassic Park. In addition to amazing huge lizards, there is something to see. Most tourists think that the best place for diving is difficult to find. The underwater world is fascinating. Here everything is unusual and interesting - from the living conditions to the terrific excursions.