01_Malaysia State Parks, Johor, Pulau Kukup 龟咯岛州级公园, 柔佛州属, 马来西亚

Malaysia State Parks, Johor, Pulau Kukup龟咯岛州级公园, 柔佛州属, 马来西亚

Pulau Kukup State Park (Ref: 1287) designated on 31st January 2003; 647 ha; 01°19′N 103°25′E. is a mangrove island located at about 1 km offshore from the south-western region of the state of Johor, Peninsular Malaysia. It is a small mangrove island (approximately 647.2 ha) surrounded by mudflats (about 800 ha). The island experienced extensive harvesting for mangrove wood back in the 80′, however, wood extracting operations from this island had ceased since August 1993. Regeneration of mangrove tree species has indeed taken place since then.

The natural resources of Pulau Kukup have never been studied in detail. As a result, these types of wetland habitats are under-represented and ignored in the list of wetland habitats of national importance. Pulau Kukup was officially gazetted as a State Park under the jurisdiction of the Johor State Park Corporation on 27 March 1997. The objective of turning this island into a state park was to promote preservation of this habitat in Peninsular Malaysia, as well to promote the eco-tourism sector and to provide research avenues.

The main reason of turning Pulau Kukup into a state park was for conservation purposes, the Johor State Park Corporation strongly believed that an ecological assessment of the whole island was needed as data on the natural resources of Pulau Kukup are very scarce. Wetlands International was commissioned by the Johor State Park Corporation to carry out a study on the ecological assessment of Pulau Kukup, Johor.

To be declared as Ramsar site, there are some criteria to be fulfilled:

• Unique ecological wetland (Mangrove Island)
• Consist endangered species - Leptoptilus javanicus (Lessear adjutant stork)
• High biodiversity of mangrove species in small areas
• IBA – Important bird areas

Wetland has a lot of values and benefits for the economic. It can contribute to the fisheries, water supply, aquaculture, wild life, resources, transport, recreation and tourism opportunities. Pulau Kukup also has the biodiversity attractions. It is containing 50% of the world true mangrove species. It is also home to 12 species of fauna and 76 species of birds. For its marine life, it has many species of fish, crabs and micro-benthic organism.

Visitor Information Centre
A visit to the park begins at the Visitor Information Centre. This is located on the mainland, opposite the bus station in Pekan Kukup. The centre houses an Information Gallery and the park office. Here, visitors can obtain some practical information about Pulau Kukup JNP and nearby Tanjung Piai Johor National Park, as well as other national parks in Johor. Visitors can also make enquiries about guided tours, which should be booked for in advance.

Information Gallery
Located at the Visitor Information Centre, the gallery houses artifacts and photographs depicting Kukup’s rich social history. There will also be information about the mangroves of Kukup, and the interdependent link between the island and people on the mainland. At the time of writing, the Info Gallery was still in the process of being set up.

Jetty
The jetty is the landmark to the Pulau Kukup National Park.

Board Walk
The boardwalk enables visitors to observe at close hand the different vegetation that make up the forest, as well as the moveable feast of contrast that is a mangrove. Long-tailed macaques are a sure sight, as are mud-skippers hopping across the mudflats, skinks slithering along driftwood and a whole host of aquatic organisms, each going about its own business totally oblivious to visitors, and each intimately interdependent upon the other. But employ some patience and an eye for detail, and some other miraculous encounter may unfold.

Observation Tower
There are two, 15 metre high observation towers located on either end of the suspension bridge. These offer a great view of your surroundings, and you want to do a spot of bird-watching from here. Otherwise, you can just relax and watch the world go by.

Suspension Bridge
Pulau Kukup’s famous suspension bridge is something of a tourist attraction with visitors. The bridge straddles Sungai Ular and spans 30m across. From the middle of the bridge there is a picture-perfect view of Kukup village on the mainland and the boats at the quay. Care must be exercised while on the bridge – read the clearly-displayed caution signs and follow them to the letter. Only three persons are allowed on the bridge at any one time, and it is preferable to maintain a 10-metre gap. Strictly no running, jumping, playing on or shaking the bridge. And please avoid acts of childishness. It may all seem like common sense, but you know what they say about common sense all too often being anything but common!

Aery
This six-storey structure measures 30m high. From the top, you will have an excellant bird’s eye view of the island, the tree tops and the neighbouring islands. A good place to try birding. Please observe all warnings that are clearly posted around the aery. Only 15 persons are allowed on each floor at any one time.

These are the activities that can be done in Pulau Kukup:

• Guided Tour - Nature walk for school group and booking group
• Bird Watching
• Boat Ride - RM3 each person
• Cultural Activities
• Nature Photography
• Filming
• Outreach program - To create and generate public interest
• Local community involvement - cleanup day

There are also other social and cultural attraction at Pulau Kukup.

• Kukup town is an old Chinese fishing village about 120 years old with lot of seafood restaurants, aquaculture and motels.
• Visit Aquaculture Farm
• Seafood restaurant and SME product - get fresh seafood and reasonable price
• Homestay and chalet - More than 50 houses available

Birds
Scientific Name	Common Name
Haliastur indus Actitis Hypoleucos Alcedo atthis Ardea Cinerea Butorides striatus Charadrius sp. Corvus macrorhynchos Dinopium javanense Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus Gerygone suphurea Haliaeetus leucogaster Tringa totanus Leptoptilos javanicus Numenius arquata Numenius phaeopus Nycticorax nycticorax Otus lempiji Pandion haliatus Pelargopsis capensis Thalasseus bengalensis Tringa nebularia HalcyonChloris	Brahminy kite Common Sandipiper Common Kingfisher Grey Heron LittleGreen Heron Unidentified Plover Large-billed Crow Common Flameback Greater Racket-tailed Flyeater White-bellied Sea Eagle Common Redshank Lesser Adjutant Eurasian Curlew Whimbrel Black-crowned Night Heron Collared Scops-Owal Osprey Stork-billedKingfisher Lasser-crested Tern Common Greenshank Collared Kingfisher

Micro Benthic
Placuna sella Venus sp. Ostrea edulis Crassostrea sp. F:Ostreidae(G.coaxans) Polymesoda erosa F:Arcidae F:Geloinidae Paphia gallus F:Placunidae B.sinensis Barbatia bicolorata Arca rufuscens Arca auriculata Anadara granosa Geloina proxima F:Solenidae	F:Melongenidae Bankia sp. F:Teredinidae Glauconoma virens Pelyceora trigona Tellina sp. Pinctada sp. Siliqua japonica F:Veneridae Donax sp. F:Donacidae Meretrix lusoria Dosinia sp. P.undulata P.phillipinarum Melongena (Semifusus) F: Tellinidae

Mammals	Reptiles
Sus scrofa / S. barbatus Suidae Lutra perspicillata Mustelidae Paradoxurus hermaphroditus Viverridae Rattus tiomanicus Muridae Macaca fascicularis Ceropithecidae Macroglossus minimus Pteropus vampyrus Pteropodidae(Fruit bats)	Trimeresurus purpureamaculatus viperidae Cerberusrhynchops Boiga denrophila Colubridae (Harmless spp) Snakes Varanus salvator Varanidae Crocodileporosus Crocodilidae (Crocodile) Lizards

Taman Negara Johor Pulau Kukup
Lot 1319, Mukim Air Masin,
82300 Kukup, Pontian, Johor
Tel: 07-6969 355
Fax: 07-6969 366