Nine animals to see in Indonesia

Land of colors and life, Indonesia is home to one of the richest flora and fauna in the world. With 10% of the tropical rainforest and 17% of the world's animals concentrated on its land and seas, Indonesia is breaking numerous records and establishing itself as a destination of choice for safaris. During your trip, you will have the opportunity to see astonishing animals, some of which, in danger of extinction, are the last representatives of their species. Take advantage of your trip to meet nature, its amazing inhabitants and understand, at a glance, the impact of deforestation, human activities and global warming on the world around us:

The Komodo dragon

It is one of the most mysterious animals in the world and Indonesia. The largest monitor lizard in the world, this immense reptile, 3m long and approximately 90kg, is endemic to Indonesia. It is found in particular on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gilli Dasami, and Gilli Motang, but you will have the best chance of observing the Komodo dragon in the Komodo National Park. It is a fascinating animal, a cousin of the dinosaurs, making it one of the oldest species in the world. The Komodo dragon is also known for its aggressiveness, so don't get too close, prefer binoculars!

The Sumatran Tiger

Another animal endemic to Indonesia, the Sumatran tiger is the smallest of the tiger family. He remains very dangerous however, but you will have very little chance of encountering him. Unfortunately, this tiger is critically endangered, with fewer than 500 animals counted. Javan tigers were declared extinct in 2003.

The orangutan

This forest giant, whose name translates as “man of the forest” is one of the most emblematic animals of Indonesia. Inhabiting the jungles of Sumatra and Borneo, this orange-furred monkey is known for its human-like behavior, making it an absolutely fascinating animal to observe. Unfortunately, it too is in danger and its population continues to decline due to deforestation. Take advantage of your trip to Indonesia to meet the last orangutans.

The Sumatran elephant

This Asian elephant is also in critical danger of extinction due to poaching and the degradation of its natural habitat. With its large ears, it stands out from other Asian elephants. There are around 2,000 Sumatran elephants left, most of which live in protected refuges. There are also other types of elephants found in Indonesia, including the very rare pygmy elephant, or Bornean elephant, whose population numbers only around a hundred individuals.

The Javan rhino

Along with the Javan leopard, it is one of the most difficult animals to observe in Indonesia, as there are very few left. The Javan rhino is smaller than that of Africa, measuring around 3m in length and 1m40 – 1m70 in height. It is also distinguished by its single horn, which measures only 25cm. WWF estimates that there are only around 60 Javan rhinos left on earth.

The manta ray

On the sea side, Indonesia is a true colorful paradise. It is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world for diving and sea trips, because you can come across incredible marine species there, including the manta ray. They are found in many places around the islands of the archipelago, but Indonesia is also home to the largest sanctuary in the world. Also called the “sea devil”, this immense ray measures up to 8m in wingspan and weighs up to 2 tonnes! A real sea dance show to watch without moderation.

The mola mola

The mola-mola, or sunfish, is another mysterious marine species. Living in deep waters, this immense fish of more than 3m in length and almost 4m in height can weigh almost 2 tonnes, earning it the title of the heaviest vertebrate fish in the world.

The whale shark

During your diving or boat trips in Indonesia, you will also have the opportunity to see the large inhabitants of the seas: dolphins, sharks and whales. You will notably come across whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, whose length can reach 20m! Completely harmless, it only feeds on plankton and algae.

The turtle

Between land and sea, you can admire the many turtles of Indonesia. The archipelago has eight species of sea turtles, including the leatherback turtle, green turtle and hawksbill turtle. You can choose to observe them in their wild state, during a diving session, or prefer to go to one of the many turtle preservation centers.