09/12/2016
Central Sulawesi (Lore Lindu National Park)
Officially declared a National Park on October 5, 1993, its formation amalgamated three existing reserves: 1. The Lore Kalamanta Nature Reseve, which was set aside for the protection of Sulawesi’s unique endemic fauna. 2. The Lake Lindu Recreation and Protection forest, established to protect the catchment area of the Palu Valley’s Gumbasa river irrigation scheme, and to develop tourism. 3. Lore Lindu Wildlife Reserve. The new Park covers an area of 217,991 ha. But since 2007 the Park had been 118,000 ha were 99,991 ha became to the local land. In 1978 it was also declared a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It is globally recognised as a centre for Plant Diversity and as an Endemic bird area by groups such as the IUCN, WWF and Birdlife International. Lore Lindu National Park’s cool, high altitude seclusion and spectacular vistas of untouched mountain ranges swathed in the dark green of virgin rain forest make it one make it one of indonesia’s best trekking sites, megalithic stones, traditional culture and a unique mix flora and fauna all add to its wealth. Lore Lindu National Park lies at the centre of Sulawesi island, close to the point at which the four arms meet. it is, therefore, the hub of the island. the island has remained physically isolated since it’s formation, resulting in extremely high levels of endemism. Sixty two percent (or 98% if bats are excluded) of the 127 species of mammals found on Sulawesi, are endemic to the island. Twenty seven percent of its 328 bird species, 26 % of its reptile species, 76% of its 25 species of amphibians, and 77% of its 68 species of freshwater are also considered to be endemic.
The park’s fauna
Mamals
The rugged interior of Lore Lindu National Park is home to Sulawesi’s largest native mammals, the mountain Anoa (Anoa quarlesi) and Babirusa (Babyrussa babyrussa). While the Anoa is spotted occasionally, the Babirusa is now quite rare and unlikely to be seen. The common Sulawesi Warty Pig (Sus celebensis), Rusa Deer (Cervus timorensis), two species of Tarsier (Tarsius dianae and Tarsius pumilus), the Tonkean Macaque (Macaca tonkeana), two species of the Marsupial Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus and Strigocuscus celebensis), and Sulawesi’s largest carnivore, the nocturnal Sulawesi Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroeckii) are known to live there. The Park has at least five species of squirrel, and 31 of its 38 rat species are endemic. the most commonly seen animals are those that enjoy the secondary forest or agricultural areas and tolerate human presence.
Reptiles, Fish and Amphibians
There are 21 species of Lizard in the Park and many of Sulawesi’s 68 species of snakes can also be found here, including the Python (Python reticulatus) and King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). the most commonly seen snakes are the racers (Elaphe erythrura and Elaphe janseni). Twenty one species of amphibians and six fish species, including an endemic species in Lake Lindu, Xenopoecilus sarasinorum, have been identified within the Park. Eels are common in all Park streams but fish are found only in the larger rivers and lakes.
Insects
Thousand of weird and wonderful insect species can be seen around the park but most is not easy to identify. Magnificent endemics include Papilio blumei, a larger swallowtail with glittering blue-green stripes, and Graphium androcles, a large, white butterfly with a long, streaming tail. Large numbers of male butterflies particularly Graphium or Appias spp, can be seen dringking around mud patches where they are obtaining the sodium salts that are essential for their life cycle.
Birds
Birds tend to inhabit very specific niches that very with altitude, and because of the Park’s great of elevation, bird diversity is high. Arround 224 species are resident of mainland Sulawesi, of which 97 are endemic to the Sulawesi sun-region (Sulawesi plus the satellite island of Talaud, Sangihe, Banggai and Sula Isles). Internationally recognised as an important bird refuge, 83% of Sulawesi’s endemic bird have been seen within the Park.
Megaliths
Megalithic statues that hundreds, if not thousands of years old, dot the Napu, Besoa and Bada valleys are considered to be the finest stone monuments of their type in Indonesia.Various archaeological studies date them as early a 3,000 BC or as recently as 1,300 AD. they are belived to relate to ancestor worship. The tallest megalith stands at a height of over 4 m, but most are 1.5-2.5 m tall. Five categories classified megalith by shape: 1. Stone Image (The statues have human features, but only the head, shoulders and genetalia are usually distinct. They are characterised by abnormally large eyes and head) 2. Kalamba (These are the most common megalith shape, and resemble large urns. They may have been cisterns, but were probably sarcophagi associated with the burial of nobility, as tradition requires the dead to be buried with supplies for the afterlife) 3. Tutu’na (These are large stone disks, probably the lids of the kalambas) 4. Batu dakon (Flat to convex stones featuring channels, irregular pitting and other depressions) 5. Others (Stone mortars, house supports and several other shapes are also found).
