How the Bornean rhinoceros was hunted to extinction in Sarawak

Culture

by Patricia Hului - June 11, 2019June 11, 2019

In the beginning of 20th century, the Bornean rhinoceros was common in Sarawak. Also known as the Eastern Sumatran rhinoceros or Eastern hairy rhinoceros, it was one of the three subspecies of Sumatran rhinoceros.

Saying hello to the proboscis monkey in Tarakan’s Bekantan and Mangrove Conservation Park

Travel

by Patricia Hului - May 16, 2019

While we call it’ ‘monyet belanda’ in Malaysia, in Indonesia it is called ‘bekantan’. The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is endemic to Borneo and can be found in all three countries on the island.

What Sarawak nature looked like in the 19th century according to Harriette McDougall

Culture

by Patricia Hului - May 13, 2019May 13, 2019

Harriette McDougall was the wife of Francis Thomas McDougall, the first Anglican Bishop of Labuan and Sarawak from 1849 to 1868. They first arrived in Sarawak on June 29, 1848 then subsequently established a

Animals that have gone extinct from Niah Cave, Miri

Culture

by Patricia Hului - April 16, 2019April 17, 2019

While 40,000-year-old human remains and rock art might be the highlights of Niah's archaeological site, many tend to overlook the cave's prehistoric fauna. When archaeologists dug up the site, they found more than

10 interesting things to know about Balikpapan, Indonesia

Travel

by Patricia Hului - April 15, 2019April 15, 2019

Located on the east coast of Borneo island, Balikpapan is the industrial, commercial and financial center of Kalimantan. It is the second most populous city in the East Kalimantan province of Indonesia, after Samarinda. If

20 things to do during the Heart of Borneo Highlands Eco Challenge III

by Patricia Hului - April 9, 2019April 10, 2019

For those who dream of an authentic adventure through Borneo, the Heart of Borneo Highlands Eco Challenge III will take you on a truly unique adventure where you can relive history, experience culture firsthand

What you need to know about Borneo’s only two macaque species

Travel

by Patricia Hului - April 1, 2019April 1, 2019

Unlike other primate species such as the orangutan or proboscis monkey known worldwide due to their endangered status, Borneo's macaque species are infamously known as pests. Despite their status as pests, surprisingly, there are

Get to know two species of gibbons found in Borneo

Travel

by Patricia Hului - March 26, 2019March 26, 2019

The Borneo orangutan is the only great ape found in Asia. Here in Borneo, it shares the rainforest with 12 other primate species including two gibbon species. Although they more closely resemble monkeys, gibbons

5 things you need to know about Bako Buntal Bay

Travel

by Patricia Hului - March 23, 2019March 29, 2019

Most travellers visiting Sarawak might not have Bako Buntal Bay as part of their itinerary....unless they are avid birders. Located about 40km from Kuching city, this vast bay area is an ecologically important site

No tigers in Borneo? Thank the smart-ass kancil

Culture

by Patricia Hului - March 7, 2019March 7, 2019

Everybody knows what a tiger looks like; it is known for its one-of-a-kind fur pattern of dark stripes against reddish-orange fur. Besides Malaysia, it is also the national animal of India, Bangladesh and South Korea.