Introduction

The State Government has aslo designated tracts of land to preserve wildlife to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Wildlife centres have therefore been set up for the purpose of wildlife conservation, education and research. These centres include the following:

Danum Valley Conservation Area :: Maliau Basin :: Sepilok :: Tabin Wildlife Reserve ::  Sipadan Island

The Danum Valley Field Centre

The Danum Valley Field Centre was established in 1985 by Yayasan Sabah to provide facilities for forest research, nature education and wilderness recreation in one of Sabah's largest protected area of lowland rainforest - the 438 sq. km. Danum Valley Conservation Area. This conservation area which is world renowned is sited besides the Segama River, 85 km. west of of Lahad Datu. It lies within the Yayasan Sabah timber concession area of 9,782 sq. km. as a designated area for conservation under the Yayasan Sabah Forest Management Plan. This project is managed jointly by Yayasan Sabah, the Sabah Forest Department and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Sabah Campus) in a Danum Valley Management Committee which includes eight other agencies with interests in conservation and forest research.

The Conservation Area contains a tremendous variety of plants and the full range of Sabah's lowland fauna, including such rare and endangered species as the Sumatran rhino, banteng (tembadau), elephant, clouded leopard, orang utan, probocis monkey and sun bear. These flora and fauna depend on one another for food, for pollination of flowers, dispersal of seeds, or in other ways.

The Maliau Basin

The Maliau Basin is one of the most spectacular and pristine natural features in Malaysia, and indeed, Southeast Asia. The Maliau Basin is almost unvisited and completely uninhabited by man. It is located in south-central Sabah, about 40 km. north of the Indonesian border at between 116° 40' - 117° 2' and 4° 40' 4° 50' N. While all of this region is rugged, remote and forested, the Maliau Basin is distinguished by its steep slope up to 1,500m. in height, making it insurmountable on foot from most directions. The size of the enclosed Basin is 390 sq. km. with a maximum diameter of 25 km. The highest point is Mt. Lotung, on the north rim which is about 1,900 m elevation. It is drained by a set of radiating tributaries of the Maliau River, one of which descends a series of waterfalls, known as the Maliau Falls. The river drains through a gorge into the Kuamut River which in turn feeds into the Kinabatangan River, the longest river in Sabah.

The basin is a faunal haven for lowland animals such as wild pigs, barking deer, probocis monkey, clouded leopard, pythons and many species of birds including the rare Bulwer's Pheasant, the Crimsonheaded Partridge and the Peregine Falcon have been sighted here.

Since 1970, the area has formed part of a large timber concession assigned to Yayasan Sabah. Since 1981, however, the Maliau Basin and another large area, the Danum Valley, have been designated Conservation Areas within the Foundation's long-term Forest Management Plan, to remain unlogged for purposes of wildlife conservation, education and research.

Sepilok

The Sepilok Forest Reserve, is situated on the east coast of Sabah, about 24 km. from Sandakan town. The Reserve covers over 4,000 ha. of tropical rainforest. Within Sepilok can be found a vast array of plants and animals native to primal jungle: over 217 species of birds, about 70 species of mammals and at least 400 species of trees.

Sepilok is classed as a virgin jungle reserve. Hunting and logging are not allowed. Sepilok has been set aside for scientific reserach, forestry training, conservation and puMic education and recreation.

Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre is operated by the Department of Wildlife. The orang-utan rehabilitation programme is to return orangutans that have been kept illegally as pets to a natural life. The young orang-utans that are brought to Sepilok are given a second chance to lead a natural life and visitors to the centre have a good chance of watching these rare apes in their natural habitat. Other protected wild animals such as the gibbons, macaques, Malay sun bear, wild cats and even crocodiles have found freedom through this centre.

The Tabin Wildlife Reserve

The Tabin Wildlife Reserve, occupying an area of 1,205 sq. km. is situated approximately 50 km. to the northeast of Lahad Datu in the Dent Peninsula, on the east coast of Sabah. It is a conservation area of virgin tropical forest through which several rivers and streams flow into the Segama Bay. It supports a substantial population of threatened large mammal species, including the Sumatran rhino, elephants and the banteng. Other wildlife found in the area include several species of deer, bearded pigs, birds and others. The rivers act as a source of water for the wildlife as well as for a number of aquatic organisms especially fishes. Mud volcanoes and mineral water springs are also found in the area.

Sipadan

Off Semporna, on the east coast of Sabah, is Sipadan Island. It is the only oceanic island in Malaysia, rising out 600 m. on a limestone pinnacle that "mushrooms" out near the surface. Sipadan is renowned the world over as probably the last frontier of diving. The underwater world of Sipadan offers the diver a breathtaking view of profuse marine life (barracudas, turtles, fish, etc.) at its best. The ever changing myriad of colours, underwater ledges, crannies, overhangs, caverns, vertical funnels enveloped by infinite varieties of corals all await the the keen diver looking for the most exciting diving spot in the world. The island was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1933 and its pristine environment has been maintained ever since.