By ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
With photo contributions from Ismail Amin (Macaca maura) and Pamela Q. Reblora.
Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park
Located between Maros and Pangkep regency in South Sulawesi, Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park is known as the second-largest karst area in the world.
ReadLowland ecosystem of the park (2022) by Pamela Q. RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
Covering 437 sq km, the park is composed of several ecosystems: lowland, karst, and low-mountainous.
Karst landscape of Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park (2022) by Pamela Q. RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
Its lowland ecosystem hosts the Celebes endemic species, Dyospiros celebica, one of the protected floras in the park. Other protected species are Livistona chinensis, Livistona sp., Ascocentrum miniatum, and Phalaenopsis amboinensis which are known as palm and orchids.
Forty-three species of Ficus have been found throughout the park. The species serve as the source of food for wildlife such as the black monkey or Macaca maura.
There are seven priority ecotourism attraction sites:
• Bantimuring Waterfalls Complex
• Pattunuang Asue area
• Wildlife watching and tracking area of Karaenta
• Vertical cave of Leang Pute
• Leang-leang prehistoric cave
• Bulusaraung Mountain area
• Leang Londrong natural water pool area.
Spelunking at BBNP (2022) by Pamela Q. RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
Other than being home to the famous Rammang-rammang karst area, also boasts of approximately 41 prehistoric caves. These include the Leang-leang prehistoric park which has a unique archaeological value. Paintings of hand palms and animal prey were drawn on the cave’s walls.
Wildlife of Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park:
• 683 monocotyledons
• 274 species of insects
• 128 species of birds
• 33 species of mammals
• 29 species of reptiles
• 14 species of amphibians
Butterflies in Bantimurung (2022) by Pamela Q. RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
The park is referred to as the Kingdom of the Butterfly, as it is known for having high biodiversity and abundance of butterflies. It is home to 200 species of butterflies including the endemic Papilio blumei, Papilio polytes, Papilio sataspes, and Graphium androcles.
Suspected soa-soa (2022) by Pamela Q. RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
Other unique fauna include the Sulawesi civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii), Small Sulawesi cuscus (Strigocuscus celebencis), Kangkareng Sulawesi (Penelopides exarhatus), Sulawesi Serpent-eagle (Spilornis rufipectu), and Soa-soa (Hydrosaurus amboinensis).
ASEAN Heritage Parks
ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance that provide valuable contributions to safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity.
AHPs provide a window to the world, showcasing a wealth of biodiversity that is uniquely ASEAN.
