AS-HOPE report

Number: AS-23-MA10

On-the-job training of wildlife in the Conservation Area of Sabah,

Report: TAJIMA TOMOYUKI

Date: 2011/6/20 - 2011/7/3

 I visited 2 conservation areas in northern part of Borneo island, Sabah, Malaysia. From 21st to 24th June, I went to Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA). Bornean gibbons and Chivets were observed. Field signs of beard pigs, sambars and otters were also observed. I found the specific smell of orangutans in ICCA and it is supposed that orangutans also habit in the area. From 25th to28th June, I visited Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA). I stayed at camp inside the forest and saw beard pigs there. Dung of Bantengs, which is called wild bovine, was found on the road. In the early morning, they move out to the open place from inside the forest. In higher heath forest area, which has different landscape from lowland tropical forest, all root of tree is coated by moss. This might prevent plants from drying on the sandy soil which is not water-retentive. Many nepenthes were observed in this area. I found frogs live and lay eggs inside the nepenthes. Looking through various types of vegetation and inter-species relationships promoted better understanding on the tropical environment.

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