Similajau National Park





Similajau National Park is a national park in the Bintulu Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Bintulu.

The national park is a recreational resource, and features rainforest, beaches of white and golden sand, and rocky beaches, facing the South China Sea. The park is rich in flora and fauna. The park was first gazetted on 1 December 1976, and published on 20 April 1978. It originally comprised 70.64 km² (17,460 acres) of forest, starting from Sungai Likau in the south and stretching 30 km (19 mi) to Sungai Similajau in the north. Another 19.32 km² (4,770 acres) was added to the park on 17 February 2000, making the total area 89.96 km²(22,230 acres), in a narrow coastal strip.
The flora consist of three main types, namely; beach, kerangas, a type of tropical moist forest, and mixed dipterocarp forest, which is home to various species of plants, trees and wildlife. The Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia), belonging to the family of Simarubaceae, is a small and slender tree, and can grow as high as 15 metres (49 ft). It produces a cluster of finger-sized reddish fruits which taste bitter. On maturity its fruits turn black, similar to coffee berries. This tree is more common here than in any other national park in Sarawak. The Bintangor (Barringtonia asiatica) belongs to the Guttiferae, and can be found in both the hills and swamp forests of Sarawak.

The terrestrial fauna of the park include 24 recorded species of mammals, including as gibbons, banded langurs and long-tailed macaque. 185 species of birds have been recorded in the park, including hornbills and migratory water birds like Storm's Stork. A noteworthy reptile found here is the saltwater crocodile. Dolphins are found in the sea off the park's coast. Occasionally, green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

12 out of the 20 marine mammals recorded in Malaysia occur in Sarawak. These include whales, dugongs and dolphins. Five species of dolphin have been recorded in Bintulu waters: Irrawanddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiop trancatus), Indo-Pacific humpback Dolphin (Sousa cinensis), Finless porpoise Dolphin (Neophocaena phoacaenoides), Pantropic spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuta). Dolphins occur during the months of March to September every year. They are often sptted in groups of four or more during early morning of the day.

Three common species of turtle have so far been recorded landing at the park beaches. These turtles are landing to lay their eggs. Three known localities are the Golden Beach, Turtle Beach I and Turtle Beach II. Turtles come during the months of March to September annually. The three species are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback turtle(Dermochelyes coriacea), and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate).

There are crocodile in the Likau River, although no crocodile attacks have been reported in the park. There are two species of riverine crocodiles in the park; the False Gharial(Tomistoma schlegelii), and an estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porousus). The estuarine/saltwater crocodile is very dangerous and has been responsible for many fatal attacks in Sarawak in recent years. The False Gharial is generally shy and passive, but on rare occasions fatal attacks have been confirmed in Central Kalimantan and Sumatra. Both species should be treated with respect and given distance.

The Horseshoe crab, or king crab, often occurs during the dry season starting from early May to October. They usually come in pairs, being the males on top of the females. The males are smaller in sizes as compare to the females. They come to the shore to lay eggs. During this breeding season one can see plenty of catfishes (Ikan belukang) around feeding on the eggs.

Burung Kenyalang (Hornbill) There are eight species of Hornbill recorded in Sarawak. Wildlife survey shows only few species are found at the park forests. Only solitary species, the Black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus) is found roaming in the park compound. Early notice during the early morning and late afternoon.