FAUNA

Mount Halimun is particularly important for Javan gibbon conservation. The gibbon (Hylobates moloch) is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Recent surveys (1995) put the total wild population at about 3000. It lives in primary forest between sea level and 1,250 m. It is confined to western Java. Since most lowland forest has been lost to agriculture, Halimun National Park offers the security of much needed home. The park also supports another endangered primate, the Grizzled Leaf monkey (Presbytis comata), listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Only 4% of its original habitat remains, of which Halimun exists as one of it's strong holds. Visitors are also likely to see the gregarious Javan leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus), another endemic to Java. The long tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), common and famous throughout South East Asia, is also a resident.

A quiet walk in this magnificent forest may also yield views of wild pig (Sus sucrofa) and barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), the latter preferring secondary forest. These animals form the main diet for the now very rare wild dog (Cuon alpinus) and leopard (Panthera pardus).

Halimun is also an ark to the now Critically Endangered Javan Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi), whose range is under increasing pressure from forest clearance for agriculture. More common birds are the Scarlet Minivets (Pericrorctus flammeus) which can be seen flying through the canopy. In fact, there are around 130 species of birds in the Park, 90 of which are more or less permanently resident. Of the 30 or so Javanese endemics nine can be seen within the park. At least two are endangered: the Spotted Crosias (Crosias albonotatus) and the Rufous Fronted Laughing Thrush (Garrulax rufifrons). Other endemic include the pygmy tit (Psaltria exilis); only found in West Java, it is the island's smallest bird.

FLORA

The strong conviction that the mountain is haunted meant that early researchers found it very difficult to enter the Mountain range. It is only in very recent years that more extensive and much needed research has been carried out on the flora of Gunung Halimun; predominantly by researchered from the Japan International Coorperation Agency (JICA).

The past geological link with South Sumatra is reflected in the vegetation affinity between the two areas. Over half the forest occurs in the altitudinal range 1000 - 1400 m. This can be regarded as sub montane forest, a type which possesses a greater diversity of plants than higher, cooler areas. Dominant tree species are the huge Rasamala (Altingia excelsa), the Puspa (Schima walichii), and Oaks (Lithocarpus spp.). Smaller Laurel tress (Litsea spp.) also make up an important constituent.

Epiphytes are numerous and orchids make a substantial contribution to the forest flora. Woody climbers called lianas are well represented and include the very spiny rattans. The high rainfall gives rise to a rich community of ferns and mosses. Palms, rhododendrons, tree ferns and rare mistletoes all add to the area's high botanical value.

In the higher montane forest diversity is less, the dominant tress being Conifers (Dacrycarpus imbricatus, Podocarpus blumeii and P. neriifolius). There are fewer herbs than in the sub-montane zone; even so, one investigation, lasting only a week, discovered 75 species of orchid. Many are rare, endangered or are Javan mountain endemics: Bulbophylum binnendykii, B. angustifolium, Coelogyre correa, Cymbidium ensifolium and Dendrochilium raciborski.