List of Rare Animals in Indonesia

Indonesia’s archipelago is one of the planet’s richest wildlife regions, where island isolation and varied habitats have produced species found nowhere else. From lowland rainforest and mountain cloud forest to coral reefs and mangroves, many animals are rare and tied to specific islands or coastlines.

There are 35 Rare Animals in Indonesia, ranging from Bali myna to Whale shark. For each species, the list below shows data organized with Scientific name,IUCN status,Range (main islands) so you can see where each occurs and how it’s classified — you’ll find below.

How can I observe rare species like the Bali myna or whale sharks without harming them?

Join licensed tours or local guides, keep a respectful distance, avoid flash photography or feeding, follow seasonal closures around nesting or breeding sites, and respect local regulations; reporting sightings to conservation groups also helps researchers without disturbing animals.

What does an IUCN status on the list tell me and how should I use it?

IUCN categories indicate relative extinction risk (e.g., Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable) and help prioritize conservation actions; use the status to understand urgency, follow local protections, and support habitat-focused conservation rather than collecting or sharing precise, sensitive locations.

Rare Animals in Indonesia

Images and Descriptions

Sumatran orangutan

Large red ape endemic to northern Sumatra; very low populations due to deforestation and poaching. Look for solitary arboreal individuals in peat and lowland forest; critical conservation focus with rescue and rewilding programs.

Tapanuli orangutan

The world’s rarest great ape, known only from the Batang Toru forest. Distinct genetics and behavior; threatened by small range, mining and habitat fragmentation. Iconic and extremely hard to spot in steep forest.

Bornean orangutan

Large arboreal ape of Borneo’s rainforests, fragmented by logging and plantations. Solitary nest-builders with slow reproduction; major conservation priority across protected areas and peat-swamp reserves.

Sumatran tiger

Striped apex predator surviving in fragmented Sumatran forests. Very low numbers due to habitat loss and poaching. Identified by large build and unique stripe patterns; camera-trap sightings are rare and prized.

Javan rhino

One of the world’s rarest large mammals, restricted to Ujung Kulon National Park. Shy, solitary browser with a single horn; extinction risk from disease, small population size and habitat limitation.

Sumatran rhino

Small hairy rhino living in dense mountain and peat forests. Extremely scarce and fragmented; captive breeding and anti-poaching are urgent. Often detected by wallows and footprints rather than sightings.

Sumatran elephant

Smaller Asian elephant subspecies found in remaining Sumatran forests. Threatened by habitat conversion and human–elephant conflict; herds are patchily distributed and largely shy of people.

Bornean pygmy elephant

Distinct, smaller Asian elephant population in Borneo peat-swamp and lowland forests. Faces habitat loss and fragmentation; a charismatic conservation symbol for Kalimantan.

Komodo dragon

World’s largest lizard, endemic to a few Lesser Sunda islands. Top predator on small islands, vulnerable to habitat changes and tourist pressure; identifiable by massive build and forked tongue.

Silvery gibbon

Small arboreal ape with silvery coat and loud duetting calls. Java endemic suffering from habitat loss and capture for pet trade; best heard in forest canopy rather than easily seen.

Javan hawk-eagle

Rare, forest-dwelling raptor and Indonesian emblem. Crested hawk with distinctive plumage; threatened by deforestation and illegal trade, mostly only seen in protected montane forests.

Bali myna

Striking white bird with blue facial skin and crest; almost extinct in the wild due to trapping. Intensive captive-breeding and reintroduction programs aim to rebuild small wild populations.

Javan green magpie

Vibrant green forest songbird endemic to West Java’s montane forests. Critically imperiled by habitat loss and illegal cage-bird trade; shy and localised, seldom seen outside protected pockets.

Celebes crested macaque

Black long-tailed monkey with a prominent crest, endemic to Sulawesi and nearby islands. Population declines from habitat loss and hunting; recognizable by expressive face and loud calls.

Lowland anoa

Small wild buffalo endemic to Sulawesi lowland forests. Solitary and secretive, threatened by hunting and habitat conversion; distinct dwarf size compared with mainland buffalo.

Mountain anoa

Highland counterpart to the lowland anoa, restricted to Sulawesi’s mountains. Extremely elusive and solitary; faces similar pressures of hunting and deforestation.

Maleo

Unique megapode that buries eggs in geothermal or sun-warmed sand; chicks hatch fully fledged. Highly localized nesting beaches and egg-collecting pressure make it rare and a conservation flagship for Sulawesi.

Sulawesi babirusa

Unusual pig-like mammal with curved tusks that pierce the snout. Forest-dwelling and shy; threatened by hunting and habitat loss, with local extirpations on many islands.

Sunda clouded leopard

Elusive forest cat of Sundaland with large cloud-like spots and arboreal habits. Rarely seen, dependent on intact forest corridors; suffering from fragmentation and poaching.

Sumatran striped rabbit

Secretive forest rabbit with striking dorsal stripes, endemic to central Sumatra. Rarely recorded due to dense habitat and low density; threatened by hunting and forest clearance.

Bawean deer

Tiny island-endemic deer confined to Bawean Island. Small population and restricted range make it extremely vulnerable to habitat change, invasive species and hunting.

Proboscis monkey

Unmistakable long-nosed monkey of mangroves and riverine forest. Endangered from coastal development and hunting; often seen in small groups near waterways but declining overall.

Hawksbill turtle

Colorful reef-associated sea turtle taken for shell trade and nesting sites. Critically at risk; encountered around coral reefs and small islands where nesting beaches remain.

Leatherback turtle

Largest sea turtle, long-distance migrant that still nests in parts of Indonesia. Critically endangered from bycatch, egg collection and coastal development; rare on beaches.

Green turtle

Herbivorous sea turtle that nests and feeds on seagrass beds. Endangered due to egg harvesting, fishing bycatch and habitat loss; common recovery target at nesting sites.

Whale shark

World’s largest fish, seasonal visitor to Indonesian waters where it feeds on plankton. Endangered from vessel strikes and fishing; ecotourism hotspots offer rare encounters.

Giant manta

Large pelagic ray seen at cleaning and feeding sites. Endangered from bycatch and targeted fisheries; spectacular surface-feeding behavior makes it a dive tourism highlight.

Reef manta

Coastal manta species frequenting reefs and cleaning stations. Vulnerable due to localized fishing pressure and habitat degradation; identifiable by broad wing-like pectorals and unique belly patterns.

Dugong

Marine mammal relying on seagrass; vulnerable to habitat loss, boat strikes and fishing gear. Slow-breeding and shy, best found in protected seagrass meadows like Wakatobi and Derawan.

Javan slow loris

Small nocturnal primate with large eyes and slow arboreal movements. Endangered from habitat loss and illegal pet trade; dense forest canopy hides this secretive species.

Southern cassowary

Large, flightless forest bird of New Guinea that extends into Indonesian Papua. Vulnerable to hunting and habitat clearing; notable for casque and powerful legs.

Dingiso

Rare tree-kangaroo found only in a small highland area of central Papua. Critically endangered due to tiny range and hunting; incredibly elusive and ground-dwelling compared with other tree-kangaroos.

Goodfellow’s tree-kangaroo

Arboreal macropod in Papua’s montane forests with slow, deliberate movements. Endangered from hunting and habitat loss; shy and restricted to remote forest patches.

Siau tarsier

Tiny nocturnal primate endemic to one small island; threatened by habitat loss and invasive species. Distinctive large eyes and vocalizations; extremely limited and precarious population.

Sunda pangolin

Scaly, nocturnal mammal heavily targeted by illegal wildlife trade. Critically endangered across range; solitary and secretive, often detected only by foraging signs and burrows.

Rare Animals in Other Countries