Borneo’s five iconic animal species
The island of Borneo is one of my most favorite travel destinations because of people, history and, of course, the overwhelming and extraordinary plant and animal life. Did you know that Borneo even has its own Big Five? Everyone, of course, knows Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), but Borneo’s vast rainforests and mangrove forests are home to five iconic animal species that can only be found in Borneo!
1. Borneo Dwarf Elephant
From the narrow boat on the Kinabatangan River, we stare curiously at the green wall, until suddenly branches begin to sway back and forth and leaves begin to rustle; a kingfisher flies away startled, and slowly the gray behemoth emerges. The Borneo dwarf elephant is Borneo’s largest mammal, but also immediately the smallest elephant in the world. They have a longer tail, straighter tusks and a smaller face than their Asian counterparts, making their ears appear larger. Unfortunately, the habitat of these Borneo giants is becoming smaller and smaller, but fortunately programs have been launched to protect this special elephant. The Kinabatangan River in Sabah is the best place to see these mighty animals.
2. Borneo orangutan
Watching an orangutan (“man of the forest”) swing through the trees is always impressive. Orangutans are found only in Borneo and Sumatra and, unlike other great apes such as gorillas and chimpanzees, like to live solitary lives; therefore, the mother stays with her child for up to eight years. Although there are many similarities its Sumatran consort, Borneo orangutans are smaller, have lighter and shorter fur, a rounder face, come to the ground more often and males have smaller cheek flaps. An estimated 45,000 to 69,000 orangutans still live in the wild in Borneo, but due to deforestation and illegal poaching, these numbers are rapidly dwindling. The Sepilok Rehabilitation Center was established to take in orphaned wild orangutans and release them back into the jungle. Such centers can also be found in Sarawak (Semenggoh Wildlife Centre) and Kalimantan (Tanjung Puting and BOS, Palangkaraya).
3. Borneo common hornbill
Loud scratching and the flapping of its huge wings announce the arrival of the hornbill. The Borneo common hornbill is among the largest hornbills in the world and is almost as large as an adult swan. This majestic bird, the national bird of Sarawak, has a very distinctive yellow-gold horn just above its beak. The horn is hollow and acts as a sound box to amplify its call.
4. Proboscis Monkey
Regarded as “The World’s Weirdest Monkey,” the Proboscis Monkey has an external characteristic that really makes it stand out among its other cousins: its nose. Especially the males have huge noses; the females are more attracted to the males with the larger noses. Also, the nose acts as a chamber that amplifies their calls. Proboscis monkeys have flippers that make them great swimmers, especially for swimming away from crocodiles. Locals nicknamed the nose monkey “Orang belanda” because of its resemblance to the Dutchman: big nose and red face.
5. Estuarine crocodile
The Estuarine crocodile is found along Borneo’s many rivers, including the Kinabatangan. This imposing reptile is known as the world’s largest crocodile. Once they hatch, they possess hunting skills that allow them to survive in the wild by preying on insects, crabs and shrimp. These crocodiles are nocturnal animals but also hunt during the day when they see an opportunity to feast.
Other species
Besides the Big Five, of course, there is much more wildlife to see in Borneo. Many Sumatran rhinos once lived there: this endangered species of rhino is still occasionally observed in remote parts of Borneo. Also the Malayan tiger is now very rare and live deep in the rainforests of Borneo and are very difficult to spot because of their shy nature. The Malayan bear or Honey bear, on the other hand, is somewhat more common, including at a sanctuary near Sepilok.
Special bird species
Countless unusual bird species you will encounter in Borneo. In addition to several species of hornbills and kingfishers, Borneo is also home to the rare Bornean trogon with its colorful plumage. The endemic Borneo pitta, with its striking combination of green and black, also attracts attention, as does the Borneo hook-beaked honeyeater. For waterfowl lovers, the Masked Lapwing is an intriguing species with its distinctive black mask. Other unique birds in Borneo include the Kinabalu owl and the Kinabalu white-throated fantail, with its distinctive tail.
Travel to Borneo:
The island of Borneo consists of Malaysian Borneo(Sarawak and Sabah), the Sultanate of Brunei and Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). The KinabatanganRiver in Sabah is pre-eminently the place to see Borneo’s Big Five, but they can also be easily observed in other parts of Borneo on a trekking or jungle boat ride. Sample tours that go to Malaysian Borneo are: Round Trip Naturally Sabah and Round Trip Surprisingly Versatile Malaysia. Sample trips to Kalimantan: Orangutan cruise or Roundtrip Java, Bali and Kalimantan.
