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Sarawakian taboos to observe in the jungle

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The jungle is sacred for Sarawak’s indigenous people. Apart from their farms, the jungle provides an extra source of food.

While there are many superstitions or dos and donts surrounding farming, there are jungle taboos as well.

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Keep the fire burning throughout the night while camping.

 

Jungle Taboos: Watch what you say

If you smell something nice, do not say anything. And if you smell something rotten, do not say anything. Let’s say you hear a sudden noise, what should you do? Do not say anything.

In any horror movie, there has to be one character who always asks the ridiculous question, “Hello, anyone there?” Do not do that in the jungle even if you think you saw something. Instead of ‘someone’, a ‘something else’ might be there.

It is a jungle taboo to ask about something, especially if you are just trying to make conversation. For example, if you haven’t seen a hornbill, do not say, “How come I haven’t seen a hornbill flying around here these days?”

The belief is that some other spirit might suddenly present themselves to you as a hornbill.

There is a story of a man who went hunting with a group of friends. He commented on how he hadn’t seen an old man who lived alone at the edge of jungle for awhile.

He kept on asking his hunting party what happened to the old man. Yet, nobody answered him. After awhile, they saw a shadow which appeared to be a deer and the hunting began. The group kept chasing after the deer to get a good shot of it.
The chase led them to an abandoned house at the edge of the jungle before the deer disappeared. The house belonged to the old man.

Apparently, the old man had died a few months earlier, leaving his house abandoned. The man finally got his answer.

Jungle Taboos
Watch out you say while in the jungle.

Jungle Taboos: Watch what you call out

If you are going into the jungle with a group of people, some people believe in the practice of using nicknames. This is to avoid calling out your real names in the jungles. Some jungle spirits might be pretending to be your friend if you call out their names.

This practice of giving nicknames when it comes to jungle trekking is being practiced even in local scout clubs. Every scout club member in a school in Bintulu, for instance, is given a nickname which starts with ‘mambang’ or ‘haunter’ in Malay, inspired by a P. Ramlee movie.

In the classic movie Pendekar Bujang Lapok (1959), P. Ramlee and the gang have to recite a chant where they call out all the mambangs including Mambang Tanah (land), Air (water), Api (fire) and Angin (wind).

Assuming you have agreed on nicknames with your trekking party, if you hear somebody call out your real name in the jungle, do not respond. It might be one the jungle spirits calling out for you.

While it is a known superstition not to whistle at night, the same rule applies in the jungle as well, no matter what time of day it is.

Jungle taboos: Watch what you do

Sometimes in the jungle you need to clear out new paths to hike. However before you do that, ask permission from the jungle first.

Here in Sarawak where jungle cover is still considerably large, there is a small chance you might stumble upon ancestral burial sites.

Be respectful if you are lucky enough to find one and do not take anything that doesn’t belong to you.

Another situation requires you to ask for permission when you are about to relieve yourself. This is supposedly to show respect to the spirits who call the jungle home.

Jungle taboos: Watch out at night

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Watch out when camping in the jungle at night.

If you had to spend a night in the jungle, it is a taboo to set up camp next to the river. There is a logical explanation for it, as you might get washed away if there is flash flood during heavy rain.

Apart from the river, do not set up camp underneath bamboo trees. It is believed that spirits live there… unless you do not mind sleeping with them.

While spending the night at the jungle, do not simply flash your torchlight wherever you want. You might shine the light in the eyes of a spirit.

Back in the olden days, it was taboo for women who are menstruating to go into the jungle. The logical explanation for this was that women back then used cloths instead of sanitary pads, making it inconvenient for women to clean up after themselves just in case there was no ready water source.

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Some jungle taboos – like not setting up camp by the river – exist to protect you from mishaps.
Be respectful in the jungle

Many cultures apart from Sarawak believe that the jungle is home to different kinds of spirits.

Just as we should mind our manners as a guest when house visiting, the same rule can be applied when we are in the jungle.

Do you know  about other jungle taboos? Leave your comments!

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Top 20 most amazing facts about Sabah’s biodiversity

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Apart from its rich culture, Sabah is also widely known for its rich biodiversity.

Did you know that Sabah’s rainforest even inspired the live action remake of The Jungle Book?

One of the movie’s visual effect artists, Helen Brownell reportedly drew inspiration from her adventures in Sabah for some of the landscapes in the film.

We bet Brownell is not the only one who is amazed by its diverse flora and fauna combined with its unique topography.

For the uninitiated, here are 20 amazing facts about Sabah and its nature:

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Do you know all top three peaks in Malaysia are found in Sabah?
1.Malaysia’s top 3 highest mountains are found in the Land Below the Wind

This Malaysian state of Borneo was given the nickname Land Below the Wind because it lies below the typhoon belt of East Asia.

The highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu stands tall at 4,095m. It is also the highest peak in the Malay Archipelago as well as the highest mountain in Malaysia.

Lonely Planet even named it as one of the world’s 50 most epic hiking trails.

The second highest mountain is Mount Trusmadi at 2,642m and Mount Tambuyukon closing in at 2,579m.

2. 59% of Sabah is covered by forest!

In the ’70s, the forest cover for Sabah was up to 90%. However due to agriculture and development, the number went down to 59% over recent years.

Why it is still amazing is because 59% of Sabah is about the same size as Denmark.

3. There is one place nicknamed the ‘waterfall capital’.

That place is Maliau Basin! Located at the center of the state, the 390 sq km area has at least 28 waterfalls towering over 5 m. This perhaps shows that Maliau Basin may house the highest number of waterfalls per unit area in the world, if not in Malaysia. The one waterfall that stands out is the majestic 7-tier Maliau Falls.

4. 76% of the world’s coral species is found here!

Sabah is home to at least 612 coral species! The state is also part of the Coral Triangle; an area of tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Philippines and Timor-Leste. It is recognised as the centre of world marine biodiversity.

5.The largest giant clam species Tridacna Gigas in the world can be found in the Land Below the Wind.

One of the amazing creatures living in Sabah’s water is the giant clam. The largest of them all, Tridacna Gigas can weigh up to 200kg!

In the wild, it has an average lifespan of over 100 years. Apart from Sabah, it also can be found off the shores of the Philippines.

6. There is a safe haven for marine turtles.

Do you know that the oldest marine turtles conservation programme in the world is in Sabah? Established in 1966, the first turtle conservation site in Sabah was on Selingan Island, Sandakan.

Together with Little Bakungan and Gulisaan, these three islands made up Turtle Islands Park which lie in the Sulu Sea.
This park is considered the safe haven for green and hawksbill turtles.

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There is a place which can be considered a safe haven for marine turtles and it is in Sabah.
7. Sipadan is one of the top dive sites in the world.

What do The Guardian, CNN Travel, Dive Magazine, Deacon Herald and Deeper Blue have in common? They all named Sipadan as one of the top dive sites in the world.

Located off the east coast of Sabah, the island was formed by living growing on top of an extinct volcanic cone.

One of the highlights of this island is its Turtle Tomb. It is an underwater cave with maze-like tunnels and chambers where many turtles skeletons have been found from turtles who got lost and ended up drowning in this cave.

8. The largest crocodile species is found in Sabah.

Apart from Sarawak, reptile lovers can also find the largest crocodile species in the Land Below the Wind.
Measuring possibly up to 7 meters in length, the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest of all living reptile.

9.Reticulated Python, the longest snake in the world called Land Below the Wind home.

If saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile in the world, the longest reptile is the reticulated python.
Plus, it is also one of the three heaviest snakes in the world. Besides Sabah, this reptile can also be found slithering around South Asia and the Indo-Australian Archipelago.

10.Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands is the largest Ramsar Site in Malaysia.

A Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. As of 2016, there are 2,231 Ramsar Sites throughout the world and the largest one in Malaysia is Lower Kinabatangan-Segama (78, 803ha).

11.The world’s smallest elephant is found here.

Speaking of Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands, one of the species calling that places home is the Borneo pygmy elephant.
It is the world’s smallest elephant, a subspecies of Asian elephant.
However according to IUCN, the population has been declining for the past 75 years die to habitat loss and hunting.

12.The world’s tallest tropical tree is here too.

In July 2018, scientists found the world’s tallest tropical tree in Tawau Hills Park. Towering at 96.9m, the tree is Shorea faguetiana located at about 24km from Tawau town.

That tree is even taller than the Statue of Liberty (93m)! Prior to this, the then tallest tree was also found in the state, at the Danum Valley Conservation Area, recorded at 94.1m.

13.  Sabah is home to one of the most wanted birds in the world.

Here in Sabah, you can find one of the world’s most wanted birds by birdwatchers. It is the Bornean Bristlehead, an uncommon species and endemic only to Borneo.

14. One of the oldest tropical rainforest in the world is in Sabah.

Danum Valley Conservation Area, about 2 hours’ drive from Lahad Datu, is not only the largest protected rainforest area in the state, it is also estimated to be almost 140 million years old.

15. Malaysia’s largest marine park is Tun Mustapha Park.

Tun Mustapha Park (TMP) is Malaysian biggest marine park spanning over 898,763ha, off Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas districts.

It comprises more than 50 islands including Banggi and Balambangan.

16. You might see the Bornean Falconet, the smallest raptor in the world here too.

The Bornean Falconet or white-fronted falconet is the smallest bird of prey in the world. Endemic to Sabah, this raptor is about 15cm.

17.The most expensive orchid, Rothschild’s Slipper orchid is only found in the Land Below the Wind.
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Mount Kinabalu is where many of Sabah endemic species are found. Credits: Pixabay.

Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Malaysia houses many interesting plants and animals. It also harbours the most expensive orchid in the world. One of its stems on the black market is reported to be worth up to $5,000. No wonder it is called “the Gold of Kinabalu” orchid. As always though, we at KajoMag urge our readers to conserve and preserve nature.

18. The world’s longest stick insect is found near Kinabalu Park.

Besides the most expensive orchid, Kinabalu Park is home to the world’s longest stick insects called Phobaeticus chani. Visitors might confuse it with a real stick as it measures at more than 50cm in length.

19. The largest rafflesia species is found in Sabah.

Rafflesia is widely known as the largest individual flower in the world. The largest of the rafflesia species is Rafflesia arnoldii which can also be found in this state.

20. The biggest pitcher plant is found on Mount Kinabalu too.

Here is an interesting fact; the biggest pitcher plant is named after the first White Rajah of Sarawak but it is only can be found in its neighbouring state of Sabah. Hugh Low first collected Nepenthes rajah in 1858 on Mount Kinabalu and named it after his friend, James Brooke.

Growing up to 40cm high and 20cm wide, this plant can even trap small mammals!

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10 things to know about Sarawak’s Bornean bearded pig

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If you have been to Bako National Park, then you have seen one of its leading stars, the Bornean bearded pigs (Sus barbatus).

There, they can be found strolling along Bako’s beaches or hanging around the park’s headquarter and chalets.

These creatures are so used to visitors that they couldn’t care less about the presence of people.

More commonly known as wild boar,  Bornean bearded pigs live in almost every type of habitat from the beach to the mountain top.

Just as their name says, they have beards and sometimes tassels on their tails.

Bornean Bearded Pigs
Say hi to the Bornean Bearded Pigs of Bako.

Here are 10 things you need to know about the Bornean bearded pigs found in Sarawak:

1.There are two sub-species of Bornean bearded pigs.

The first subspecies Sus barbatus barbatus can be found in Borneo and at the tip of Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines.

The second one is Sus barbatus oi which ranges at the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

2.They have a wide variety of favourite food.

According to Sarawak Forestry Department website, these pigs enjoy fallen fruits and seeds, roots, herbs, earthworms, and other small animals.

3.Bearded pigs are destructive to plantations.

Apart from that, they also feed on young palms and cocoa fruits making them destructive to plantations.

4.Borneans have been hunting them for the last 40,000 years.

An archaeological excavation at Niah Cave showed that bearded pigs have been hunted by people of Borneo as far back as 40,000 years.

5.They are an important source of protein.

Bornean bearded pigs are high up on the natives’ hunting list because they are a source of dietary protein.

The meat is usually barbecued, cooked in soup with various vegetables, or made into babi salai (smoked pig).

6.Their bones are usually kept as trophies.

In a study by Earl of Cranbrook and David Labang published by the Sarawak Museum, it is common for rural people of the Malayan and Southwest Pacific regions to keep trophies from their hunting.

For example, the Penan people keep or hang the skulls, lower jaws and mandibles of bearded pigs.

7.These pigs can swim.

Bornean bearded pigs are known among naturalists for their periodic mass movements.

They can travel some distance to find food and even swim across rivers. Some believe they even swim to offshore islands.

8.Python versus bearded pigs; pigs win

Robert Shelford, a former curator of Sarawak Museum wrote one of the earliest records of these mammals.

In his book ‘A Naturalist in Borneo’, he described an incident witnessed by a fellow naturalist Ernest Hose who was also the brother of Charles Hose.

“Hearing one day in the jungle, close to his house at Santubong, a tremendous noise of wild pigs grunting, snorting, and squealing, he ran out to see what was the reason of it, and presently came on a large python that had seized a young pig and was endeavouring to crush it. The snake was surrounded by a number of full-grown swine, which were goring it with their tusks and trampling on it; so resolute was their attack that the python was compelled to relinquish its hold of the loudly protesting young pig, when the herd, catching the sight of Mr. Hose, hastily made off, the young one, apparently little the worse for its adventure, trotting away with its companions. Mr Hose examined the snake, and found it to be so slashed and mangle that it was unable to crawl away from the scene of battle.”

9.Their populations are in threat.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed Bornean bearded pigs as vulnerable as its population has been in decline over the last two decades.

IUCN also stated there are three primary threats facing bearded pigs. These include the conversion of forests for agriculture, particularly oil palm and rubber, fragmentation of remaining habitat, and unsustainable logging primarily for dipterocarps.

10.It is illegal to have more than 5 kilos of its meat in your possession.

Here in Sarawak, Bornean bearded pigs are not listed as protected species so it can be hunted for consumption.

However, according to Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, commercial sale of bearded pigs is strictly prohibited.

The sellers can be fined up to RM5,000 while the buyers can be fined up to RM2,000. If you have more than five kilograms in your possession, you will be deemed having the intent to sell it. Thus, you can also be charged up to RM5,000.

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Kuching-Serian Itinerary: What can you do in one day?

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Serian is a modest town located 40km outside Kuching, Sarawak’s capital. Famous for its durian and its fresh produce, it is also gateway to a number of waterfalls and natural beauties in the area.

If you are looking for things to do in a day from Kuching to Serian, here is a Kajo-tested and approved itinerary.

All you need to have for this trip are a car, Waze or Google Navigation, change of clothes, snacks, drinking water, binoculars (optional) and spirit of adventure.

Kuching-Serian Itinerary: What can you do in one day?

1.Panchor Hot Spring (9am-10am)
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Dip your feet at Panchor Hot Spring.

Start your day with breakfast at home or at any of these Kuching’s favourite foods in town.

Make sure to start driving from Kuching by 8am. The first place to visit in this Kuching-Serian itinerary is the Panchor Hot Spring located at Kampung Panchor Dayak.

This hot spring is famous among locals who are looking for natural healing.

If you find the temperature too hot for you to have a whole-body soak, just dip your legs into the pool.

The minerals in the water are believed to soothe joint pains and rheumatism.

Read more about Panchor Hot Spring here.

2.Ranchan Recreational Park (11am-12.30pm)
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Explore the pools and waterfalls of Ranchan Recreational Park.

After experiencing the high temperatures at a hot spring, perhaps you want to cool down.

So head to Ranchan Recreational Park located right outside Serian town.

Ranchan offers visitors a chance to unwind in pools surrounded by rainforest.

Take your time to explore the park or just sit down by the waterfall and listen to the water crashing against the rocks.

Read more about Ranchan Recreational Park here.

3.Lunch at Serian and a visit to Serian Market (1pm-2.30pm)
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How about giving a plate of fried noodle with seafood a try at Yee Siang Bak Kut Teh, Serian?

If you packed your lunch, then enjoy it at Ranchan. If not, head to Serian town to nourish your body.

One of the best places to have your lunch is at Yee Siang Bak Kut Teh.

The place is famous for its crab satay, prawn satay and tom yam coconut prawns.

Once you’ve had your meal, try to explore Serian town. The best place to start is at Serian Market.

There, visitors can find plenty of local vegetables and fruits.

Right next to Serian market is a row of local craft stores. Besides the local Bidayuh accessories and costumes, you can also find some traditional handicraft from our local ethnic communities such as the Penan woven baskets.

4.Semenggoh Nature Reserve (3pm)
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Try to take a wefie with an orangutan at Semenggoh Nature Reserve.

To end your Kuching-Serian road trip, navigate your way to the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.

It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach Semenggoh from Serian.

Say hi to the orangutans there and observe their behaviour.

Their feeding time in the afternoon is at 3pm so make sure to arrive there on time.

If you are into birding and brought along your binoculasr, Sarawak Tourism Board website highlighted that there are at least 23 species you can spot at this reserve.

These species include Sunda Frogmouth, Red-crowned Barbet, Red-naped Trogan, Blue-winged Leafbird and Hooded Pita.

By 4pm or so you can end your Kuching-Serian trip by saying goodbye to the orangutans.

Read more about Semenggoh nature here.

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3 reasons you need to see proboscis monkeys in the wild

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Here in Sarawak, visitors can still watch proboscis monkeys in the wild.

And watching them in the wild is nothing like seeing them in an enclosure.

If you are visiting the land of the hornbills or her neighbour Sabah, here are three reasons why you cannot miss out on pay proboscis monkeys a visit.

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A female proboscis monkey spotted at Bako National Park.
1.You are learning about proboscis monkeys and their natural habitats.

Watching these amazing creatures in their natural habitats should be on everyone’s bucket list.

With their reddish brown colouring and grey limbs, these monkeys stand out against the greenery of the tropical jungle.

Not forgetting their large noses (which some scientists believe is to attract females), making them distinct from their fellow primates.

Despite their pot bellies, they are actually quite graceful when they leap from one branch to another.

In the wild you can observe how they feed in their natural surroundings.  You can watch which leaves or fruits they prefer.

Proboscis monkeys are known to be seasonal eaters, eating mostly fruits from January to May and leaves from June to December.

Do practice the basic ethics of wildlife watching: never feed them, do not interfere with mating, predation or other natural behaviour and always keep a respecful distance.

2.It is an adventure in the tropical jungle
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Visitors trying to spot proboscis monkeys at Klias Wetland.

Actually it doesn’t matter if you choose to see proboscis monkeys in Sarawak or Sabah, here in Borneo the experience will definitely be an adventure.

Even if your goal was to watch proboscis monkeys, chances are high you would be seeing lots of other animals thanks to the high diversity in Borneo.

For example at Klias Wetland in Sabah, you can cruise down a river to watch proboscis monkeys in the wild and when the night falls, watch out for the fireflies.

While in Sarawak, Bako National Park is one of the most accessible places to see proboscis monkeys in the wild.

There, you can also see bearded pigs, long-tailed macaque monkeys, silvered leaf monkeys, and silver squirrels.

3.You are supporting the local communities
Proboscis Monkeys
Can you spot the monkey?

Speaking of Bako National Park, to get there visitors must get a lift from Bako village boat jetty.

The boat transfers to the park are managed by Koperasi Warisan Pelancongan Bako Berhad.

The local villagers in the area run the service in this collaboration.

Thus, a visit to the national park to see the proboscis monkey is definitely showing support to the local communities.

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Semenggoh Nature Reserve, where the orangutans live and thrive

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Visitors admiring the magnificent orangutan.

Located about 20km from Kuching, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is usually on a tourist itinerary when in town.

However as a locaI, I believe every Sarawakian should visit this place at least once in their lives.

Although we pride ourselves as being the home for orangutans here in Sarawak, I bet not all of us have actually seen one in real life.

And one of the nearest and accessible places to see an orangutan in the world is none other than the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.

This place has been a rehabilitation centre for young orangutans who have been unfortunately orphaned or rescued from captivity for more than 20 years.

The program which trains the young into healthy adult orangutans has been transferred to Matang Wildlife Centre.

But Semenggoh still plays home to some of the program’s graduates.

Most of them prefer to roam the forest but frequently come back to the reserve during feeding time.

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A tourist trying to catch an orangutan on camera.

Get to know Semenggoh’s official residents

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A group of tourists trying to capture an orangutan in a wefie.

The most interesting part of visiting Semenggoh Nature Reserve is getting to know the orangutan.

During my visit, three orangutans thought I was worthy of their presence.

The first one was whom they called the ‘Grand Old Lady of Semenggoh’.

Her name is Seduku and she was born in 1971. She is now a mother of three – Analisa, Saddamiah and Ganya.

The second orang utan is Edwin, a male born in 1996.

He is believed to be strong contender to Ritchie’s throne, the big boss (dominant male) of Semenggoh.

I visited the reserve on the day Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim was released from prison.

And interestingly, Annuar the orangutan also decided to show up during my visit at Semenggoh.

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Annuar impressing the visitors with his moves on the rope.

He was born in 1998 and is known to be real lady killer in the reserve.

Visiting the feeding area of Semenggoh is unlike going to the zoo.

There at Semenggoh, the orangutans are the VIPs. Hence, visitors need to make way for them at all times.

Guests are required to listen to the park ranger’s instructions.

At one point when we were leaving the feeding area to the park headquarters, we had to scramble back to the feeding area.

Apparently, Seduku was leisurely using the park’s trail (instead of swinging from the trees) to make her way to the feeding area.

We had to wait a few minutes to make way for her till the rangers told us the path was clear.

To learn more about orangutans at Semenggoh

Apart from observing the orangutans at Semenggoh Nature Reserve, visitors will learn a thing or two about this primate.

For example, do you know that the dominant male orangutan does not like to see his reflection in the mirror? This is because he thinks that his reflection is another male orangutan.

They also make use of their opposable thumb by peeling the banana skin before they eat.

Visitors are not allowed to bring plastic bottles into the feeding area because the baby orangutan uses them to drink milk.

Other rules at the reserve are to be quiet at all times at the feeding area, turn your flash off while taking photos and of course, no littering.

Show your support for the orangutans

Those who want to show their love and support for the orangutans can do so at Semenggoh.

With as low as RM200 annually, visitors can do their part by adopting an orangutan.

The money goes to food and medication for the orangutans at Semenggoh and Matang, orangutan conservation projects and education programs.

The best times to visit Semenggoh are during orangutan feeding times, 9am to 10 am and 3pm to 4pm.

Read more about this nature reserve at Sarawak Tourism and Sarawak Forestry Corporation websites.

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Follow the rules!
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Get to know the plants at Semenggoh too!

 

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15 Wildlife Photographers you should follow on Instagram

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Wildlife photographers have the toughest job of capturing animal behaviour at the right moment to create a powerful image.

The job requires not just skill but also great patience and persistence.

Thankfully, wildlife photographers have taken to social media to share their images while also highlighting important conservation issues.

Here are some outstanding wildlife photographers who have shared their impactful photos with thought-provoking captions on Instagram:

1. Brian Skerry

Skerry is an 11-time award winner in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Hence, without a doubt all of his photos are breathtaking.

As you can see on his Instagram page, he specialises in marine wildlife and underwater environments.

Photo by @BrianSkerry Tomorrow, April 10th, I will be doing an Instagram Live event at 12pm EST. I will be at the headquarters of the @conservationlawfoundation and talking about the plight of the North Atlantic Right Whale – a species on the brink of extinction. I’ll be joining Dr. Scott Kraus with the @newenglandaquarium , a leading right whale researcher working on solutions to save this species. Please check out this event here on my Instagram feed! This photo shows a Southern Right Whale hovering inches above the sea floor in New Zealand’s sub-antarctic waters. About a million years ago there was once species of Right Whale on Earth. But as land masses moved and oceans became separated, the right whales became separated too. Both species were hunted to the brink of extinction by early whalers, but the Southern Right Whales recovered better following protection, because they live further away from industrialization. The North Atlantic Right Whales are urban animals and live from Canada’s Bay of Fundy to Florida. In these regions they become entangled in fishing gear and often die. They also get hit by ships. Last year (2017) 17 North Atlantic Right Whales were lost. Learn more about these amazing animals and how we can save them – here on my Instagram Live event on Tuesday at 12pm EST! #rightwhales #endangeredspecies #extinction #whales

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2. Frans Lanting

Thomas Kennedy, the former Director of Photography at National Geographic said Frans Lanting has the mind of a scientist, the heart of a hunter, and the eyes of a poet.

This is perhaps why Lanting is often hailed as one of the great wildlife photographers of our generation.
Scroll through his Instagram page and you will understand why Lanting deserves that recognition.

Photo by @FransLanting When cheetah cubs are two months old they are irresistible to watch. Siblings are sparring partners around the clock. But the odds against their survival are not as appealing. More than half of all cheetah cubs do not survive their first four weeks of life and most of the rest do not make it beyond their first year. Cheetahs can’t climb trees like leopards, they can’t dig burrows like hyenas, and they’re not social like lions, so they are always vulnerable no matter where they are. When we worked with cheetah families in the wild we were always concerned about their safety, yet we could not interfere in their individual lives. But we can contribute to their survival as a species. Follow us @FransLanting and @ChristineEckstrom to learn more about the plight of cheetahs. @Natgeocreative @Thephotosociety #Cheetah #BigCats #BigCatsInitiative #CheetahConservationFund #Panthera #Endangered #Cute #Play

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3. Thomas P. Peschak

Peschak was originally trained as a marine biologist before switching careers to become a wildlife photojournalist.

His current vocation is to highlight current marine conservation issues through his images.

On his Instagram page, he educates his followers on the amazing world of marine animals.

A recent scientific study revealed that filter feeding marine animals like whale sharks accidentally ingest considerable amounts of micro-plastics. At less than five mm in size, micro plastics are similar in dimension to a whale shark’s regular plankton meals. Unlike the plastic bag in this picture which was easy to spot, grab and stuff into my wetsuit, removing micro plastics from our oceans is much more difficult. At present the only real solution is preventing plastics from getting into ocean in the first place. I would love to hear from all of YOU about what you are currently doing to help decrease plastic pollution in our oceans. Thoughts, ideas and tips in the comments please. That way we can all learn from each other.

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4. Paul Nicklen

This Canadian photographer co-founded Sea Legacy, a non-profit society that utilises visual storytelling and photography to raise awareness of ocean conservation.

Even on his Instagram, each photo shared has a story to tell – like how he managed to capture this brown bear with a salmon in its mouth.

5. Ami Vitale

She has travelled to almost 100 countries over the past 18 years capturing wildlife and people.

But one of her most outstanding works was photos of Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino who died on Mar 19, 2018.

Here is a photo of Sudan with one of the rangers Joseph Wachira.

Photo by @amivitale. If there is meaning in Sudan’s passing, it’s that all hope is not lost. This can be our wake-up call. In a world of more than 7 billion people, we must see ourselves as part of the landscape. Our fate is linked to the fate of animals Joseph Wachira, (@wachira.joseph) 26 comforts Sudan, the last living male Northern White Rhino left on this planet moments before he passed away March 19, 2018 in northern Kenya. Sudan lived a long, healthy life at the conservancy after he was brought to Kenya from @safari_park_dvur_kralove in the #Czechrepublic in 2009. He died surrounded by people who loved him at @olpejeta after suffering from age-related complications that led to degenerative changes in muscles and bones combined with extensive skin wounds. Sudan has been an inspirational figure for many across the world. Thousands have trooped to Ol Pejeta to see him and he has helped raise awareness for rhino conservation. The two female northern white rhinos left on the planet are his direct descendants. Research into new Assisted Reproductive Techniques for large mammals is underway due to him. The impact that this special animal has had on conservation is simply incredible. And there is still hope in the future that the subspecies might be restored through IVF. The image is copyrighted to Ami Vitale/2018. For licensing information, including in-line links and/or framing of this post, contact Ami Vitale. @olpejeta @nrt_kenya @lewa_wildlife @tusk_org @kenyawildlifeservice @thephotosociety @natgeo #LastManStanding #SudanForever #WorthMoreAlive #OlPejetaRhinos#NorthernWhiteRhinos #protectrhinos#DontLetThemDisappear #rhions#saverhinos #stoppoaching #kenya#northernkenya #africa #everydayafrica #photojournalism #amivitale @nikonusa #nikonusa #nikonlove  http://time.com/5209390/sudan-rhino-rhinoceros-northern-white

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6. Joel Sartore

In an effort to document every animal species before they disappear, Sartore founded the Photo Ark.

As of today, there are nearly 7,900 species recorded on Photo Ark and some of them are featured on Sartore’s Instagram.

Joel Sartore

7.Beverly Jourbert

This wonder woman is a filmmaker, photographer and co-founder of the Big Cats Initiative.

She has documented the beauty of African wildlife for more than 30 years.

Thankfully some of those beauties are shared through her Instagram.

Beverly Joubert

8.David Doubilet

He is a well-known underwater photographer. He also contributed more than 70 feature articles on the environment.

Though Doubilet hardly updates his Instagram, every photo he has shared so far is surreal and almost dream-like.

David Doubilet

9. Andy Mann

Andy Mann is a climber, diver and arctic explorer. He also co-founded 3 Strings Production, a commercial and documentary film studio.

Andy Mann

10.Steve Winter

He was named BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and BBC Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year.

You can also count on Winter’s captions to educate you a little bit more about wildlife and the environment.

Steve Winter

11.Andrew Parkinson

Browse through his Instagram feed and you notice that his photos are so alive that they almost come off the screen.

This award-winning photographer managed to capture animals on motion in a perfect composition, making his images fascinating to look at.

Andrew Parkinson

12.Tim Laman

A photographer and an ornithologist, you can expect most of Laman’s photos to revolve around birds.

Tim Laman

13.Ronan Donovan

Do you know how elephants hug? Apparently they hug by wrapping their trunks around each other, much like people do.

With Donovan’s short yet informative captions on top of his powerful images, browsing through his Instagram feed is time well spent.

ronan donovan

14.Chris Schmid

Schmid once said, “Sometimes you need to take a risk by spending all afternoon waiting for that great picture, and you may miss some decent images somewhere else, but its all part of the game in wildlife photography.”

You will find some of those great pictures on his Instagram.

Chris Shmid

 

15.Cristina Mittermeier

She was recognised as one of the World’s top 40 Most Influential Outdoor Photographers by Outdoor Magazine.

Her works are definitely deserving of that recognition as you can see by these photos on her Instagram.

Cristina Mittermeier

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What to do in Gunung Gading National Park, Lundu?

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Gunung Gading National Park 3
Welcome to Gunung Gading National Park!

Gunung Gading National Park is one of the most accessible places in Sarawak to view Rafflesia blooms.

Gazetted in 1983, the national park is a conservation area for this majestic plant.

The park is located about 80km from Sarawak’s state capital Kuching, near the small town of Lundu.

The name Gunung Gading was believed to come from a tree called engkabang gading (Shorea hemsleyana).

However, according to the book National Parks of Sarawak by Hans Hazebroek and Abang Kashim Abang Morshidi, it’s name comes from a legend behind this mountain.

There were three celestial princesses from Gunung Roban in Java, Indonesia.

The princesses were guardians of Gunung Gading Puteri Gading, Gunung Perigi Puteri Sri Giar and Gunung Sebuluh Puteri Sri Geneng.

They loved to bathe and play in the seventh waterfall. They also planted flowers called Sri Gading on the mountain.

It is said that if you manage to find these flowers, you will be showered with good luck.

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What should you do on Gunung Gading?

Here are the three things you can do at Gunung Gading National Park (on top of looking for a good luck charm):

1.See Rafflesia

Gunung Gading National Park 2
Come and visit Rafflesia in Gunung Gading.

Regardless if you are a celestial princess or not, the only flower that matters in this national park is the Rafflesia.

Gunung Gading National Park is home to the endemic Rafflesia tuan-mudae, named after Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak.

Since the Rafflesia is a rare flower with a short flowering period, plan your visit carefully.

You can check in with the park headquarters at 082-7355714 on whether the flower is in bloom.

2.Climb to the top of Gunung Gading National Park

Gunung Gading National Park 8
The sound of a splashing waterfall can be heard along the trail to the summit.

Visitors can opt to climb to the top of Gunung Gading although there is no picturesque view awaiting you.

It has a a sign telling you something to the effect of “this is it, you’ve reached the top”.

The climb will take up to eight hours for a round trip so plan to start hiking early in the morning.

Do not forget to pack a lot of water, some food for an energy boost and a bag to carry your trash back with.

3.Visit the waterfalls

Gunung Gading National Park 6
The two-tiered Waterfall no 7 awaits you.

Follow the path of the celestial princesses and take a dip in any of the waterfalls.

The waterfall trails pass seven waterfalls but not all of the waterfalls are accessible.

The easiest trail is to Waterfall 1 while the two-tiered Waterfall 7 is the furthest to reach (about 1 hour depending on your stamina).

Every waterfall is a perfect bathing pool offered by Mother Nature for us to relax in so don’t leave any trash behind.

Last but not least, do wear long pants or leech socks as, based on my personal experience, those creepy-crawlies can pop up unexpectedly. So better be safe than sorry!

Gunung Gading National Park 6
Doesn’t this look so relaxing?

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The Frog Pond of Kubah National Park

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Most visitors to Kubah National Park would put Mount Serapi or its waterfall on the itinerary but only a few would stop and appreciate the frog pond located there.

Situated about a half-hour walk from the park HQ, this pool is the breeding ground for numerous frog species.

There are a few signs provided at the frog pond to educate the public more about this amphibian.

Kubah Frog Pond 2
Kubah National Park prides itself as “The Home of Palms and Frogs”.

If you are visiting the frog pond during the day, you might miss them. They hide among the leaf litter away from the hot sun and predators.

You can enjoy more of these amphibians if you are staying overnight at the national park.

This is because the frogs only come out at night. Furthermore, they are most active an hour after sunset.

Kubah Frog Pond
Most visitors tend to skip this small frog pond.

Have you heard a frog’s call before? Male frogs call to attract females.

Unlike catcalling among humans which usually repel the females, the louder the frog’s call, the better their chances of getting a mate.

Every species has its own distinctive call.

Kubah Frog Pond 5
A visitor walking pass the natural frog pond of Kubah National Park.

Some of the factors reportedly affecting the frog’s mating rituals are humidity, rainfall, temperature and even the phases of the moon.

After choosing a mate, the female expels its eggs into the water while the male releases its sperms to fertilise the eggs.

The eggs will later hatch into tadpoles and live like a fish for about 11 weeks.

Some tree frogs lay their eggs in the trees to avoid egg raptors.

When the eggs hatch, the tadpoles will fall into the pond.

Kubah Frog Pond 12
After choosing a mate, the female expels its eggs into this pond while the male releases its sperms to fertilise the eggs.

The importance of frogs

Frogs and their tadpoles hunt mostly insects allowing them to control the insect population. Hence, this helps to balance the ecosystem. Similarly, snakes, birds, bats and other frogs also prey on these frogs, continuing this important predator-prey cycle.

Did you know that having lots of frogs in the forest tells us that the area is still healthy?

They can be used as bio-indicator for pollution. This is because frogs have permeable skin which can be sensitive to any disease, pollution and changes in the environment.

If the number of frogs decline, it’s safe to say that it’s a warning sign that something is wrong with the environment.

Kubah Frog Pond 6
If the number of frogs decline, it’s a warning sign that something is wrong with the environment.

Frog species found at Kubah National Park

According to Sarawak Tourism Board website, some frogs that can be spotted here are Grass Frog, Common Asian Toad, Brookes’s Burrowing, Kerangas Bush Frog, Harlequin Tree Frog, Four-line Tree Frog, White-lipped frog and File-eared Tree Frog.

Apart from these, Hans P. Hazebroek and Abang Kashim Abang Morshidi listed more frog species in National Parks of Sarawak.

These include Kuhl’s Creek Frog, Black-spotted Rock Frog, Sarawak Slender Litter Frog, Abott’s Litter Frog, Giant River Toad and Brown Slender Toad.

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Six nature attractions near Kuching city, Sarawak

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So you are now in Kuching city and you are looking for an accessible, green place to go to.

Fret not, here are the six nature attractions near Kuching city you visit and enjoy a day out with Mother Nature.

1. Santubong National Park

Santubong (8)
Mount Santubong.

Santubong National Park is about 40 minutes drive from Kuching city.

Here visitors can climb to the top of Mount Santubong, take a dip in the waterfall or simply enjoy the rainforest.

There is no accommodation at the national park but there are handful of resorts and homestays nearby.

2. Kubah National Park and Matang Wildlife Centre

Come and explore Kubah Waterfall.
Come and explore Kubah Waterfall.

Kubah National Park is situated about 22km from Kuching city.

It is rich in floras and is a scientifically important site for palm trees.

One 1992 study by Katherine Pearce found that there are 86 species of palm trees in the area, 16 of them only found in Borneo.

You can choose to climb to the top of Mount Serapi or go for trekking in search of waterfall at Kubah.

Next to Kubah is Matang Wildlife Centre where endangered species such as orang utans are rehabilitated and released into the forest.

Beside saying ‘hi’ to the orang utans, visitors can also go for jungle trekking at one of the four trails here.

3. Sama Jaya Nature Reserve

Imagine New York’s Central Park but a thousand times smaller. (Okay, it’s only approximately eight times smaller. New York’s Central Park covers 341 hectares, while Sama Jaya Nature reserve spans 38.)

Much like Central Park, however, Sama Jaya is a small patch of forest in the middle of an urban area located at Stutong.

Just a 10-minute drive from Kuching City centre, the nature reserve is famous among joggers as it offers two jogging tracks at 870 metres and 1600 metres respectively.

As the jogging tracks wind through this urban jungle, do not be surprised if you spot some local wildlife.

According to Sarawak Forestry website, here you can find squirrels, shrew, fruit bars, frogs, lizards and monkeys.

Other perks this reserve offers is the Hiroshima-Sarawak Friendship Garden, forest biology museum and an ethno-botanical garden.

4. Wind Cave and Fairy Cave Nature Reserves

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Wind Cave and Fairy Cave Nature Reserves are located at Bau bazaar, just half an hour’s drive from Kuching city.

The two caves are located 8km from each other.

There are plankwalks available for visitors to explore the caves.

Keep your eyes open to spot various species of bats, squirrels and birds at these nature reserves.

5. Semenggoh Nature Reserve

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Here is another great place to visit the orang utan. It has a wildlife centre for the rehabilitation of rescued orang utan.

Semenggoh Nature Reserve is 20km away from Kuching.

The best time to visit Semenggoh is during feeding times. It usually takes place between 9 to 10am and between 3 to 3.30pm.

6. Bako National Park

Bako
Bako National Park, one of tourists favourite spot to visit while in Kuching city.

Sarawak’s oldest national park, Bako National Park requires a boat-ride to visit but is still accessible from Kuching city.

It is a nature lovers’ paradise where visitors can opt for bird watching, beach-strolling or jungle trekking.

It takes about 45 minutes from Kuching to Bako market. From there, it takes another 20-minute boat ride to reach the park.

Here you can spot proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaque monkeys and bearded pigs roaming around the park.

 

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