Sulawesi's two species of hornbill demonstrate a unique example of different canopy use. The Red Knobbed Hornbill
Rhyticeros cassidix, lives and feeds in the upper canopy, while the Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill
Penelopides exarhatus, occupies the lower canopy. Both species display an interesting egg-laying habit. The male, with the female's help, uses mud to seal the female inside the selected tree hole nest, leaving just a small slit to pass food to his mate. She remains enclosed while she incubates her eggs and raises her offspring until they are able to fly. During the nesting season of July to September males work hard supplying fruit to the demanding family. Figs are a crucial food source for these birds and waiting near a fruiting tree is the easiest way to observe them. The hornbill, in turn, plays a significant role in seed dispersal for the tree.
The
Red Knobbed Hornbill, called
rangkong in indonesia and locally know as
Allo, is probably the most obvious bird in the park. Depicted on the park logo, it is common in many areas and easy to locate, with its loud, raucous call and noisy wing-beat, as it flies above the canopy. Usually existing in pairs, it often gathers in larger groups in a fruiting tree. Sporting prominent red casques,and bright blue skin in the gular area at the base of the bill (which stretches to store fruit), the males have buff-coloured heads while the females are smaller and have a glossy black heard and neck. The bird is something called
Burung tahun, the year bird. Its yellow bill has red stripes, and the bird supposedly grows ane new stripe per year. Large (104 cm), Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion; widespread and common, sometimes abundant. Inhabits primary lowland, hill and lower montane forest, and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest and remnant forest patches within extensive areas of cultivation; occasionally visits mangrove forest. Frequent the canopy. Forages in fruiting trees, often with other frugivores, including fruit pigeons, starlings and occasionally squirrels. Has been seen to drive Sulawesi Macaque from a fruiting fig tree in which the macaques were feeding. Feeds mainly on fruit (especially figs Ficus spp); also large insects,etc.
The
Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill is the samallest of the hornbills and much harder to spot. A neat yellow and black bird, it lives in kin groups and defends its territory. Breeding is from April to July and older sons help the adult male provide food for the female and offspring. A small hornbill (53 cm). Endemic to the Sulawesi subregion. Widespread and locally moderately common, especially at lower elevations. Inhabits primary lowland and hill forest, forest edge and swamp forest; occasionally tall secondary forest. Usually in pairs or groups of up to 10 birds, occasionally singly. Noisy and active; often difficult to observe. Flies through the forest. Feeds in the mid-canopy of fruiting trees. Other name Sulawesi Hornbill.
Located on the eastern arm of Central Sulawesi, Morowali Nature Reserve consists of a 209,000 ha protected area containing almost completely intact primary forest. The north of the reserve is dominated by steep mountains reaching over 2600 m in height, but the terrain in the south is much less rugged and terminates in a wide coastal plain with natural lakes and swamp forest.
This region, together with much of eastern Central Sulawesi, comprises some of the most extensive formations of ultrabasic rock in the world. This results in soils which have a severe deficiency of important plant nutrients and instead contain toxic concentrations of certain heavy metals. Consequently, ultrabasic forest areas have largely been spared from intensive agriculture and logging due to the poor conditions for planting and lack of valuable timber trees.
The indigenous Wana people live throughout the reserve and consist of about 600 families that follow a traditional lifestyle. Their subsistence is based on swidden and shifting agriculture, hunting, and harvesting of forest products such as rattan and damar.
Current Status
This nature reserve was first established in March 1980, but although it is a completely protected area there are no currently maintained facilities or management staff. It is possible that in the near future Morowali have been proposed become a national park, which would lead to funding for proper management but also probably result in the majority of lowland areas being subsequently zoned for logging. Due to the relatively intact indigenous culture of the Wana people, Morowali has recently been proposed as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Access
The reserve is approachable from several directions, but the easiest is to take a 2-hour boat ride from Kolonodale to Tambayoli, which is a settlement at the western end of the park. It is possible to charter your own boat to access other parts of the park, but this is much more expensive.
Kolonodale can be reached by bus from Palu or by a 6-hour boat ride from Baturube. Alternatively, to reach Kolonodale from Macassar or Rantepao it is necessary to first take a bus to Soroako, cross Lake Matano via boat, and then take a small bus from the village of Nuha.
When to visit
The best time to visit is in the dry season (September to November). During the rainy season (May to June) the Soyojaya valley is sometimes prone to flooding, and the rivers are more difficult to cross.
What to see
Despite having a great diversity of wildlife which includes all the larger endemic mammals such as Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa), Anoa (Bubalus quarlesi), and Sulawesi Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii), spotting animals in the forest is relatively difficult. Most species are very wary of people due to continuous hunting pressure from the local inhabitants.
Over 170 bird species have been recorded from Morowali, including many endemics. Notable species include the Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), Ornate Lory (Trichoglossus ornatus), all five endemic kingfishers, and 18 species of forest pigeons and doves. The Tambayoli valley is a pleasant and easy place to spot numerous raptors, water birds including the Wooly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus), and nightjars at dusk.
Reptiles include the bizarre Sail-fin Lizard (Hydrosaurus amboinensis), and huge 9 meter-long Reticulated Pythons (Python reticulatus).
A wealth of fascinating plants can also be seen in the reserve, ranging from massive Agathis (damar) trees to rare orchids and seven species of pitcher plants (Nepenthes).
Despite the great potential for nature tourism, Morowali sees few foreign visitors and there are currently no developed facilities available. Guides can be found in Kolonodale, Tambayoli, or Morowali village, but you must be well-versed in Bahasa Indonesia as few of them speak English. Simple accomodation can be obtained at any village or town, usually by making arrangements with the kepala desa (head of the village).
Hiking is generally very pleasant if one follows the well-established trails used by the Wana, but can get tiring on the mountains. When trekking it is most convenient to stay in Wana huts or jungle shelters, but tents must be carried when attempting some of the more remote peaks. Leeches can only be found on some of the wetter mountains. Malaria is a small probem in the Tambayoli area. If you are concerned, you might want to consider prophylactics.
