Rinca is a small island near Komodo and Flores island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, within the West Manggarai Regency. It is one of the three largest islands included in Komodo National Park. The island is famous for , giant lizards that can measure up to long. Rinca is also populated with many other species such as Boar, Bubalus and many birds.
Area
The island's area is .
Living conditions
Living conditions for local people on the island are often difficult. Education facilities, for example, are quite limited for children. Some non-government organisations help with the provision of books for children on Rinca.
[Eva Muchtar, ' Gardens of Learning' , The Jakarta Post Weekender, 26 April 2012.] Local people must also take some care to avoid Komodo dragons because Komodos in the area occasionally attack and kill humans.
[Markus Makur, ' Giant lizard attack: Komodo dragon bites elderly woman on Rinca island' , The Jakarta Post, 13 October 2012.]
Sea conditions
Rinca and Komodo Islands bracket a north-south passage between the
Indian Ocean and the
Flores Sea. Due to the large bodies of water and narrow gap, the waters between Rinca and Komodo are subject to
whirlpools and
Ocean current in excess of 10 knots.
Diving in the region requires care.
Fauna
Being less known and less visited than Komodo Island, Rinca is a good place to see the
Komodo dragon in its natural environment with fewer people to disturb them. Day trips can be arranged to the Loh Buaya park facility on Rinca Island from
Labuan Bajo on
Flores by small boat at the park headquarters. A jetty marks the entrance to the park facility. A short walk leads to the local park office where there are rangers to accompany visitors on short or medium-length walks to see komodos and other animals such as monkeys, deer and buffalos.
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See also
Gallery
File:Rinca at dry season.JPG|Dry season at Rinca
File:Juvenile Komodo dragon at Rinca.JPG|Juvenile Komodo dragon
File:Water buffalo at Rinca.jpg|Water buffalo at Rinca
File:Crab-eating macaque at Rinca.JPG|Crab-eating macaque
File:Rinca Island - Pulau Rinca.jpg|Rinca shore
File:Indonesia1-1386-1.jpg|Juvenile Komodo Dragon, Rinca Island
Notes
