Papua, the easternmost island of Indonesia, houses many unique and unparalleled natural beauties. Nicknamed the “Little Paradise Fell on Earth,” the island boasts a wealthy source of biodiversity that enchants tourists. One of the island’s unique and delightful natural wonders is Musamus.
Musamus, commonly called “ant nests” by the Merauke locals, will be present in Wasur National Park, particularly within the savannah region, or within the 1000 Musamus Tourist Park situated within the village of Salor Indah, a couple of two-hour drive from the Merauke town centre in South Papua Province.
So what makes Musamus (ant nests) unique and a tourist attraction? Despite being called ant nests, Musamus are termite nests. Physically, Musamus structures tower over people, manufactured from mounds of earth, dry grass and termite saliva, in response to the Directorate General of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Scientific Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia.
As mentioned earlier, these anthills can reach a height of about 3 to five meters. Their towering structure resembles stalagmites with a reddish-brown color and crevices that function a habitat for termites.
Another unique aspect of Musamus (ant nests) is that the termite colonies that inhabit them are different from the pest termites that typically attack human homes. These termites, scientifically generally known as Macrotermes sp., create solid and durable nests that may withstand heavy loads, wind, and extreme weather conditions. Musamus nests contain tunnels which are utilized by the termite colonies for ventilation and temperature regulation, protecting them from the scorching heat of Papua.
Musamus is considered one of the various unique and delightful natural wonders that Papua offers to the people of Indonesia and the world. This biodiversity have to be constantly protected and maintained, because it has significant value for the wonder and sustainable development of Papua’s natural environment, especially in the town of Merauke within the province of South Papua.
