How the backpack was invented... Bird's Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia. Introduced wild boars (Sus scrofa) are an important source of protein for Papuan communities. On the Bird's Head Peninsula, they are also one of the main predators of leatherback sea turtle nests. Over the years, there have been several campaigns to control the population of wild boars, in order to reduce their impact on turtle nests. The problem is that they are very numerous, vastly outnumbering the hunters, and they a very smart! Electric fences only work if they are maintained daily: if one tree limb falls on the wires, the fence stops working and pigs will figure it out very quickly. Dogs, which are supremely effective deer hunters, are reluctant to go after wild boars as they are very dangerous when cornered. Active hunting, using spears and bows & arrows, as well as trapping are the only effective methods, but they are labour intensive. Ship-based adventures to Raja Ampat and beyond • Small groups of up to 12 • Led by a marine biologist • Whale sharks, leatherback sea turtles, the richest reefs on Earth, birds-of-paradise and much, much more! • Expedition 1: 20 June to 5 July 2025: 5 spots remaining • Expedition 2: 17 August to 1 September 2025: 4 spots remaining https://www.facebook.com/kalawaiadventure/ #rajaampat #whalesharkswimming #leatherback #leatherbackseaturtle #westpapuaexpeditions #birdsofparadise #rajaampatdiving #seaturtlenesting #wayagrajaampat #wayagislands #wayagisland #marinebiology #geoffreygearheart #cendrawasihbay #cendrawasih #whalesharks #shaktiliveaboard #indonesiaadventure #adventuretravel #smallgroupadventures #rajaampatsnorkeling #rajaampatscuba #indonesiaexpeditions #coralreefs #coraltriangle #coraltrianglediving #birdsheadpeninsula #vogelkoppeninsula #birdsheadseascape Photo Credit: Ricardo Tapilatu

The red bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea rubra) is endemic to Waigeo and a few surrounding islands in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. They are quite common within this limited range. I once landed in a secluded bay on Waigeo while carrying out a sea turtle survey. We camped out for the night in an abandoned village. The next morning, at dawn, we heard the unmistakable call of the birds-of-paradise. There was a giant ficus tree nearby which was fruiting. A dozen male birds were hopping from limb to limb, calling the females. They move so quickly that it is difficult to train your binoculars or camera on any individual bird. As soon as the first ladies showed up, the males' high-octane display dances started, which are all about gaining sexual favors. Deserving males are rewarded on the spot; it is a race to propagate the best genes. These shows can last over 1 hour and they stop as quickly as they started. To see this with your own eyes is an unforgettable experience! During our expeditions, we visit reliable sighting locations for the red bird-of-paradise, and the lesser bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea minor), within Raja Ampat and beyond... Come join us in 2025! Ship-based adventures to Raja Ampat and beyond • Small groups of up to 12 • Led by a marine biologist • Whale sharks, leatherback sea turtles, the richest reefs on Earth, birds-of-paradise and much, much more! • Expedition 1: 20 June to 5 July 2025: 9 spots remaining • Expedition 2: 17 August to 1 September 2025: 4 spots remaining https://www.facebook.com/kalawaiadventure/ #rajaampat #whalesharkswimming #leatherback #leatherbackseaturtle #westpapuaexpeditions #birdsofparadise #rajaampatdiving #seaturtlenesting #wayagrajaampat #wayagislands #wayagisland #marinebiology #geoffreygearheart #cendrawasihbay #cendrawasih #whalesharks #shaktiliveaboard #indonesiaadventure #adventuretravel #smallgroupadventures #rajaampatsnorkeling #rajaampatscuba #indonesiaexpeditions #coralreefs #coraltriangle #coraltrianglediving Photo Credit: Keith Meadows

Leatherbacks of the Bird's Head Peninsula, Indonesia. The remote beaches of the Bird's Head are home to the last significant nesting sites for the Pacific leatherback. The largest species of sea turtle, leatherbacks can measure up to 3 m and weigh well over 500 kg. They migrate thousands of kilometers from their foraging areas off the US West Coast to nest on the beaches of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Watching a nesting female crawl up the beach and lay her eggs in the dead of night is an unforgettable experience! Join one of our expeditions in 2025! For more info: @kalawaiadventure #rajaampat #whalesharkswimming #leatherback #leatherbackseaturtle #westpapuaexpeditions #birdsofparadise #rajaampatdiving #seaturtlenesting #wayagrajaampat #wayagislands #wayagisland #marinebiology #geoffreygearheart #cendrawasihbay #cendrawasih #whalesharks #shaktiliveaboard #indonesiaadventure

Expeditions to Raja Ampat and beyond are back on!! Join us on an incredible adventure to one of the last natural frontiers! Two expeditions available in 2025 (for up to 12 people): -20 June to 5 July 2025 (16 days) -17 August to 1 September 2025 (16 days) Sail with a small group on the Shakti, a traditional Indonesian "Pinisi" schooner, to see giant leatherbacks nest, dive/snorkel world's richest reefs, swim with whale sharks, explore the rainforest and remote villages, see the mating dance of the the birds-of-paradise, explore the magical Wayag Islands.. For more info: @kalawaiadventure #rajaampat #whalesharkswimming #leatherback #leatherbackseaturtle #westpapuaexpeditions #birdsofparadise #rajaampatdiving #seaturtlenesting #wayagrajaampat #wayagislands #wayagisland #marinebiology #geoffreygearheart #cendrawasihbay #cendrawasih #whalesharks #shaktiliveaboard #indonesiaadventure Photo Credit: C. Bull Caught in Colour http://www.caughtincolour.com.au/