On October 3 we started at 5:30am with our morning cruise. Unfortunately we did not see much, just a lizard and a few birds.
At 10:00am we went for a jungle walk. After a short boat ride we entered the jungle through a small path. We walked for an hour but again did not see more than a frog and few insects. When on the boat the captain spotted a python snake relaxing on a tree branch. It is a small snake compared to what they become when they are fully grown adults but still a beautiful animal.
The afternoon cruise brought a bit more wildlife to the table. We saw proboscis monkeys, macaques, kingfishers, eagles and different types of birds.
In the evening cruise we had the fortune to find a python snake swimming in the river… we didn’t know how good swimmers the snakes are, wow! We also found some birds and a feline but the guide did not know the name.
On October 4 we had our last cruise before departing the Kinabatangan River. We had an early morning start… again 5:30am. We spotted lots and lots of hornbills and a few birds… but nature had saved the best for last for us. Just before the river cruise ended the guide spotted wild orangutans, there were three of them playing high up on a tree. It was breathtaking to see them in the wild, in their habitat and most probably just waking up from a good night of sleep. What a scene to end a couple of days packed with adventure, nature and wildlife watching! We left these three “man of the forest” knowing that their habitat will, one day, be converted into a palm oil plantation and they will have to find a new home and adapt to new challenges. We, humans, are the biggest predator for these animals; we are, directly or indirectly, destroying their forest. I want to take the opportunity to invite you to consider twice when buying products with palm oil, the main contributing factor in the deforestation of Borneo. It is sad to see from the air that they are still chopping down trees to make way for new plantations… when is it going to stop?
After our morning cruise we had breakfast and took the minivan back to Sepilok Jungle Resort where we will be spending the night.
In the afternoon we went to the Rainforest Discovery Centre to look for the Giant Flying Squirrel. We had seen them briefly last time we were there but now we know where they hide so hopefully we have a better chance. We got into position just before 6:00pm and sure enough, they came out of their burrows and started gliding. We were able to see a few of them, unfortunately it gets dark very quickly.
Later we went for a self-guided night walk looking for the slow loris or tarsiers… well, let me tell you we did not see much!
Poboscis Monkeys, Kinabatanga River Cruise, Malaysia
