Java's Wild West

Located in the westernmost part of Java, the Ujung Kulon conservation park has long been well known for its exotic fauna, particularly the one-horned Javanese rhino (Rhinocerus sundaicus), locally known as badak Jawa.

The park encompasses a lowland area of 1,206 square kilometers on a peninsula reaching into the Indian Ocean. Most of the land is covered in rain forest.

The park has for many years been a center for researchers, both domestic and foreign, and has justifiably been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

While it is most famous for its rhinos, other exotic animals, including banteng Jawa (Javanese buffalo, Bos javanicus) can also be found in the park.

Recently, Sea World Indonesia released nine penyu sisik or hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) aged between six to eight years into the area.

President director of Sea World Indonesia Yongki E. Salim said that the waters of Ujung Kulon were the natural habitat of the turtles.

-- Text and Photos by P.J. Leo/The Jakarta Post

Photo A

Conservation park rangers return to their base at dusk after a patrol.

Photo B

Sunset in the conservation park offers alluring views. Some people come just to enjoy the landscape.

Photo C

Wild banteng Jawa (Bos javanicus) gather in grasslands in the conservation park.

Photo D

A rusa Timor (Cervus timorensis) on the beach of Peucang Island, which forms part of the park.

Photo E

Park rangers and Sea World officials carry a hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) to the beach. Releases into the wild are part of Sea World's commitment to environment conservation.

Photo F

A hawksbill turtle swims into the sea -- the wild world -- after a couple of years entertaining visitors at Sea World Indonesia in Ancol, North Jakarta.