Jamursba-Mandi Proposed Strict Nature Reserve
Location:
0°20'-0°22'S, 132°25'-132°39'E; 180 km WNW of Manokwari, North Kepala, Burung, Irian Jaya.
Area:
28 km of beach.
Altitude:
Sea level.
Biogeographical Province:
5.1.13.
Wetland type:
05.
Description of site:
A 28 km stretch of sandy beach on the coast of the Tamrau Mountains, confirmed to be the most important nesting site for Leatherback Turtles in Southeast Asia.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate.
Principal vegetation:
Beach vegetation.
Land tenure:
State owned (Indonesian Government).
Conservation measures taken:
None.
Conservation measures proposed:
The site has been proposed as a Strict Nature Reserve, which would be distinct from the nearby North Tamrau Reserve.
Land use:
No information.
Disturbances and threats:
Recent immigrants collect turtle eggs for food. (The indigenous people have never exploited the sea-turtles).
Economic and social values:
No information.
Fauna:
The beach is the most important nesting site for Leatherback Turtles Dermochelys coriacea in Southeast Asia, and is also a major nesting area for Green Sea Turtles Chelonia mydas. An estimated 8,000 to 15,000 turtles use the beach each year.
The northeast side of Kepala Burung is believed to support the largest population of Dugongs Dugong dugon in the world. No information is available on the avifauna.
Special floral values:
None known.
References:
MacKinnon & Artha (1981b); Petocz (1983a).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2c.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius.