Mangrove Forests

One of the most interesting tourist destinations when you are in Tarakan is the Mangrove Forest Conservation Area, which is located on the Jalan Gajah Mada. The area is about 21 hectares in size and is original forest from the time when Tarakan was surrounded by dense mangrove forests, which have all but a small part disappeared for shopping and residential areas. Fortunately, the Tarakan mayor Jusuf, SK had the idea to save part of the mangrove forest which has changed into a conservation area and a tourist attraction.

Besides a popular destination for travelers and locals alike, the Mangrove forest also has other functions as well. It is considered as the lungs of Tarakan and a natural barrier to protect the city from sea water erosion. Although not large in size, the Mangrove forest is also a natural habitat for mangrove trees and faunas typical of Tarakan. The age of the trees differs from about tens to even hundreds of years. Finally, the Mangrove forests are also used as a real-life laboratory utilized by researchers from both within and outside the country. Research results are very useful for science.

You can see the typical animals here that live in mangrove forest, the most interesting and characteristic of them is the Proboscis monkey which is just one of the many protected animals here. The Proboscis Monkey is different from most other monkeys in one unique way: their long noses. Because of their long nose, this monkey got the nickname the "Dutch monkey". The Proboscis monkey remains to have an athletic body swinging from one branch to the other, much to the delight and entertainment of visitors.

While you're at Tarakan be sure to visit the lush mangrove forests in the heart of Tarakan, and to see its cute inhabitant, the Proboscis monkey.