discoverborneo - your gateway to malaysian borneo

In Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, the most famous indigenous mammal is the orang utan (Malay for "person of the forest"). Sabah is an ideal place to view these wonderous apes, both in the wild and in the world-famous orang utan sanctuary at Sepilok. Sabah also has 10 species of primate, including the endemic big-nosed proboscis monkey, small but acrobatic tarsiers, slow lories, langurs, leaf monkeys, long and short tailed macaques and gibbons.

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Amongst the most elusive but exiting mammals to be found in Sabah is the endemic Borneo Elephant which is a subspecies (one of 7) of the Asian Elephant, and a different species to the only other species of elephant, the African elephant. The Bornean Rhinoceros, a sub-species of the Sumatran Rhino was considered extinct 20 years ago, but recently WWF caught video footage of this elusive species, scientists estimate that there could be only between 20 and 50 left in the world. Along with the Clouded leopard, the Bay Cat and the Civet Cat, these ancient mammals share the jungle habitat with Sun Bears and Banteng (wild ox), amongst many others. Although many of the more endangered species are very rarely spotted it is possible to view, photograph, and film mammals in the various wildlife reserves, such as the Kinabatangan, Tabin or the Danum valley, where there are accommodations and guided tours.

Other fascinating species common to Southeast Asia but found in marshlands and fields, rather than in the rainforest, are Water Buffalo or Kerbau (in Malay). Domesticated and docile the kerbau is often used by farmers to plow the fields. In the tropical waters around Sabah there are dolphins, best spotted around Sipadan island, and also dugong or 'sea cow', which can be found at Mantanani.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast Discover Borneo can create holidays to bring you up close with mother nature and experience the beauty of Malaysian Borneo.