| Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve | |
| Iucn Category: | Ia |
| Map: | Indonesia Sulawesi |
| Map Width: | 285 |
| Label: | Tangkoko |
| Label Position: | top |
| Location: | North Sulawesi, Indonesia |
| Nearest City: | Bitung |
| Established: | [1] |
| Visitation Num: | 7,500 |
| Visitation Year: | 2007[2] |
| Governing Body: | Ministry of Environment and Forestry |
Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve, [3] is a nature reserve in the northern part of Sulawesi island of Indonesia, 70km (40miles) from Manado City.[2] The reserve covers an area of 8718ha, and includes three mountains: Mount Tangkoko at 1109m (3,638feet), Mount Dua Saudara at 1361m (4,465feet), and Mount Batuangus at 450m (1,480feet).[4]
The most common trees in the lowland rainforest of the park are species of the Palaquium genus, Cananga odorata and Dracontomelon dao.[5]
Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve protects at least 127 mammal, 233 bird, and 104 reptile and amphibian species. Of these, 79 mammal, 103 bird, and 29 reptile and amphibian species are endemic to the island.[6]
Threatened mammals include the Celebes crested macaque, of which about 5,500 remain on the island,[7] spectral tarsier, Sulawesi bear cuscus and Sulawesi dwarf cuscus.[2] Birds include the Green-backed Kingfisher, Sulawesi Lilac Kingfisher, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher, knobbed hornbill, Sulawesi hornbill and maleo.[8] Tangkoko Nature Reserve has been a popular destination in North Sulawesi for wildlife watching tourism.
The first conservation area at Mount Tongkoko was established in . To this the Duasaudara area was added in 1978, and the Batuangus and Batuputih areas in 1981, together encompassing a total of 8718ha. Visitation is only allowed in the Batuputih area.[2]
Several Indonesian and international environmental organisations are involved with conservation efforts in the reserve, including Sulut Bosami, Wildlife Conservation Society, and Tarantula.[6]
Habitat destruction and hunting pose serious threats to the reserve.[6] As result of hunting, between 1978 and 1993, the number of crested macaques declined by 75%, maleo birds by 90%, and bear cuscus by 95%.[9] A survey of the three surrounding villages conducted in 2005 found that while the most frequently hunted species were rats, locals still hunted for macaques and cuscus both for meat and to be sold on the market.[10]