Kinabatangan River, Sabah
Kinabatangan River, Sabah
Kinabatangan River
This is Sabah's longest river. Along its banks there are Proboscis monkeys, some
Orang Utans, snakes, many different types of birds, and a
few elephants can be seen on very rare occasions. Accommodation can be
found near Sukau, a small village.
Ten species of monkeys and apes are found in a
relatively small area, rated the highest concentration of primates in the whole
of Borneo. Besides that, the area has a plethora of animals like the Clouded
Leopard, Asian Elephant, Crocodiles, Civet Cats, Otters, and all eight species
of Hornbills found in Borneo, Egrets, magnificent Kingfishers, Storks, Hawks and
the incredible Oriental Darter which dives into rivers and lakes to pursue fish!
But the most amazing spectacle is the bizarre,
three feet tall, pot-bellied male Proboscis Monkey found nowhere else in the
world except Borneo. No fossils have ever been dug up outside Borneo, a point
which mystifies scientists.
Its trademark is its overwhelming, pendulous
nose which droops well over its mouth. Scientists are 
still debating what the outrageous nose is for. Some argue it may act like a
thermostat for regulating body temperatures. Others theories it may be a sexual
attraction to the females which don't have such a prominent future.
Sighting of the Proboscis Monkeys is
guaranteed, because they have one fixed habit, that is, they always sleep
overnight in trees immediately above river banks. Knowing this, tour operators
arrange daily evening or early morning river joy rides either along the
Kinabatangan, Sabah's longest river, or its tributaries, especially the Menangol.
The Proboscis monkeys are fun to watch because
they are very active. They crash around like skilled acrobats, leaping through
gaps and breaking through masses of leaves dangerously and noisily but always
making it.
They are also great divers. Visitors have seen
them diving 60 feet into rivers and since they are strangely web-footed, they
can swim strongly across rivers!
A trip to Sukau also means the chance to see
Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan, which cuts through the area.
There are about eleven beautiful ox-bow lakes
in the area which are rich in fish and prawns.
Riverside chalets are available for overnight
accommodation.
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