Globerovers Magazine, July 2019

BORNEO ISLAND, ASIA
Sabah
Malaysia’s Untamed State on
borneo island
Malaysia’s State of Sabah is located
in the northern portion of
Borneo Island, the third-largest
island in the world. The island is politically divided
among Malaysia and Brunei in the north,
and Indonesia (Kalimantan) in the south. The
“East Malaysian” states of Sabah and Sarawak
make up about 26% of the island. Sabah is
less than half the size of Sarawak and occupies
the most northern tip of the island.
Borneo is home to one of the oldest rainforests
in the world, and Sabah has no shortage of untamed
jungles. While large portions of the state
remain inaccessible to most hikers, several
trails with accommodation are open.
With over 1,600 known species of animals,
birds, amphibians and reptiles, the jungle is
an Eden-like paradise. Sadly, the jungle is fast
disappearing due to deforestation and the encroachment
of oil palm plantations. According
to Greenpeace, some of the world’s biggest
brands are still linked to rainforest destruction
in Indonesia. These include Unilever, Nestlé,
Colgate-Palmolive and Mondelez.
Sabah is known for its rich biodiversity and
wildlife. However, the rapid deforestation in
Sabah has caused massive habitat destruction
and pushed many species to the brink of extinction.
Wildlife poaching to supply the illegal
pet trade and those with a taste for rare exotic
meat are speeding up the extinction. Among
the animals of Sabah under threat are the proboscis
monkey, orangutan, clouded leopard,
Borneo rhino, Borneo pygmy elephant, slow
loris, and the binturong bearcat.
Come along as we visit Borneo to photograph
the proboscis monkeys and orangutans in
their natural habitats at the Sepilok Reserve
and elsewhere. We start our trip at the laidback
town of Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to
Sabah, and also visit Pulau Tiga, one of the
most beautiful islands off the coast of Borneo.
Photo Essay • Sabah, Borneo Island | 39