In this episode of INDOWILD, I am travelling back through the province of Gorontalo to see the WHALE SHARK and the BABIRUSA otherwise know as the deer pig in Nantu Forest (hutan Nantu).
Gorontalo province was once part of North Sulawesi but is now its own province of Indonesia.
I am joined by my girlfriend Kezia and this is our first trip together on the motorbike.
Not far from the city is the whale shark beach which used to house a shrimp processing factory and the discarded parts of the shrimp were thrown into the water attracting the whale sharks. They are huge animals and it’s amazing to be able to swim with these gentle giants.
Now the factory is closed but the whale sharks are still here and this is now a tourist attraction. If you visit here then make sure you’re early because it does get busy.
After that we are heading to an old fort called Benteng Otinawa - this ancient structure was built in the 1600s but by whom?
Then it’s time to go to Hutan Nantu (Nantu Forest) and the famous Babirusa - this is the ONLY place in Indonesia where it’s possible to consistently see the Babrusa.
The babirusa is a type of wild pig/boar which is endemic to the islands of Sulawesi, buru, Togean and a few other small islands in the east side of the Wallace line.
It has unique tusks which grow out of its head. It’s a strange looking animal that only a mother could love.
The are very shy animals and are attracted to this area Because of the natural salt licks - the muddy swamp areas are filled with important electrolytes for the babi rusa’s diet.
Nantu Forrest is not a national park and you cannot just arrive and visit without organising with the rangers and police first. It’s quite a complicated process and it’s not cheap either.
The rangers couldn’t believe we come all this way over broken bridges, flooded roads and muddy tracks.
#whaleshark #gorontalo #babirusa