Wasur National Park
| Wasur National Park | |
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IUCN category II (national park)
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 Wasur NP
Location of Wasur NP in Papua
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| Location | Papua, Indonesia |
| Nearest city | Merauke |
| Coordinates | 8°36′S 140°50′E / 8.600°S 140.833°ECoordinates: 8°36′S 140°50′E / 8.600°S 140.833°E |
| Area | 4,138 km² |
| Established | 1990 |
| Visitors | 2,265 (in 2004) |
| Governing body | Ministry of Forestry |
| Designated | March 16, 2006 |
The Wasur National Park forms part of the largest wetland in Papua province of Indonesia and has been the least disturbed by human activity. The high value of its biodiversity has led to the park being dubbed the "Serengeti of Papua". The vast open wetland, in particular Rawa Biru Lake, attracts a very rich fauna.
About 70% of the total area of the Park consists of savanna (see Trans Fly savanna and grasslands), while the remaining vegetation is swamp forest, monsoon forest, coastal forest, bamboo forest, grassy plains and large stretches of sago swamp forest. The dominant plants include mangroves, Terminalia, and Melaleuca species.
The park provides habitat for a large variety of up to 358 bird species of which some 80 species are endemic to the island of New Guinea. Fish diversity is also high in the region with some 111 species found in the eco-region and a large number of these are recorded from Wasur. The Park's wetland provides habitat for various species of lobster and crab as well.
Common fauna species include the agile wallaby,Pesquet's parrot, southern cassowary, blue crowned pigeon, greater bird of paradise, king bird of paradise, red bird of paradise, New Guinea crocodile, and saltwater crocodile.
Wasur National Park is the habitat for a number of rare and endemic species. Red-listed species known to be present in viable populations are southern crowned pigeon and New Guinea harpy eagle, dusky pademelon, black-necked stork, Fly River grassbird and little curlew. Three trans-Fly endemic bird species have been recorded, including the Fly River grassbird and the grey-crowned munia.
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