Babirusa/deer-pigs

The babirusas, also called babushkas or deer-pigs (Indonesian: babirusa) are a genus, Babyrousa, in the pig family (Suidae) found in Wallacea, or specifically the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru. All members of this genus were considered part of a single species until 2002, the babirusa, B. babyrussa, but following the split into several species, this scientific name is restricted to the Buru babirusa from Buru and Sula.

Male, Female and Juvenile Babirusa at Nantu Forest

The North Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis) is a pig-like animal native to Sulawesi and some nearby islands (Lembeh, Buton, and Muna Islands) in Indonesia. It has two pairs of large tusks composed of enlarged canine teeth. The upper canines penetrate the top of the snout, curving back toward the forehead. The North Sulawesi babirusa is threatened from hunting and deforestation.

Nantu forest  in gorontalo province, Northern Sulawesi,Indonesia. Nantu Forest consists of Nantu wildlife reserve (Suaka Margasatwa, 33.023 ha) Protection Forest (19.606 ha) and Production Forest (10.002 ha) or 500 square kilometres of virgin rainforest.

photo taken  by Irawan Halir (Iwan)

Young Male

Nantu Forest Trip (4 Days/3 Nights)

Itinerary:

Day 1^st: flight from Manado-Gorontalo (flight by Wings Air, morning flight at 6am). go direcly to Sari tani village (4-5 hours drive). Lunch will be served en route. Sari Tani is a village close by the entrance to Nantu forest. It’s a remote area and the accommodation is a homestay (basic  accommodation without Air condition of Fan), where you will stay for 2 nights. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2^nd: Breakfast at 7am. After breakfast, we will start to walk (1 hour walk to close by the  entrance and cross the river). At the entrance office,  we will show our police permit an the entrance ticket. From the entrance office we will walk (30 minutes) to the hiding close by the puddle (salt liquid) where we will wait the Babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis)  will come. If lucky, Anoa (Bubbalus depresicornis) and Heck’s  Macaque (Macaca hecki) also you will spotted there. Lunch. For the Lunch (simple lunch), we will preparing  it in the morning. Come back to the Homestay. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3^rd: Breakfast at 7am. After breakfast we will go to the puddle again. Same as the day 2^nd. But, we will come back to the Homestay at lunch time. Have Lunch. After lunch, we will move to Gorontalo City. Check in at the Hotel around the City, have dinner, overnight.

Day 4^th: After breakfast, we will do City tour before flight to Manado.