Australian Cruise Ship Tourists Visit Bekantan Research Station on Curiak Island
Banjarmasin, January 7, 2025 – A total of 46 special interest tourists from various countries, including Australia, Switzerland, and the United States, visited the Bekantan Research Station on Curiak Island, South Kalimantan. The tourists, who sailed with the Coral Geographer Cruise Ship on Tuesday (7/1), wanted to see firsthand the natural sanctuary of the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) managed by the Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia (SBI) Foundation.
The group of tourists was welcomed by Dr. Amalia Rezeki, the founder of the SBI Foundation, along with her team. She expressed her joy that the conservation area they manage attracts tourists who care about the environment and wildlife.
“They are very interested and appreciate our story of struggle in preserving the proboscis monkey and restoring the wetland ecosystem on Curiak Island,” said Dr. Amalia, who is affectionately called Amel.
One of the tourists present, Oswald Huma, Executive Director of Signature Papua Tours and Travel, also expressed his admiration for the management of Curiak Island. According to him, SBI’s efforts in saving the proboscis monkey and restoring the area’s ecosystem are very appealing to special interest tourists.
“As someone involved in the travel industry, I am very interested in making this area a sustainable special interest tourism destination,” said Oswald.
A similar opinion was expressed by Dr. Gary L. Shapiro, a senior orangutan researcher from the United States who also serves as President and Co-Founder of the Orangutan Republic Foundation. Speaking fluent Indonesian, he expressed his happiness to meet a team with a strong conservation spirit.
“I hope more people will come and support this foundation, and share the same vision in wildlife conservation,” he said. Dr. Gary is an orangutan conservation expert who has been involved in this field for over 50 years, including in pioneering projects at Tanjung Puting National Park from 1978-1981.
Meanwhile, Anne, a guest lecturer from Coral Expedition, was also impressed with her visit to the Bekantan Research Station, although she felt the available time was too short.
“I think this place is amazing. What has been done in a short time is truly inspiring,” she said.
During the visit, the tourists were invited to walk along the ulin boardwalk in the mangrove restoration area (Sonneratia caseolaris), observe the behavior of the proboscis monkeys, and see other typical wetland wildlife. They also visited the mangrove nursery and participated in tree planting activities as a form of support for the conservation of the Curiak Island ecosystem.
This visit shows that the conservation efforts at the Bekantan Research Station not only impact the preservation of the proboscis monkey and its ecosystem but also attract international attention as a conservation-based ecotourism destination.
