Free Monthly e-mag December 2011

w w w . b o r n e o g e o g r a p h i c . c o m

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December 2011 Issue 01 Cover: Tawau Hills Park nature trail by Jollence Lee

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ENQUIRIES

CONTENT

Block E, Lot 8, no. 15, Phase 10A, 1st floor , Sri Ke-payan, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Inobong Substation SabahPark’s hidden getaway

The Inobong Visitor & Research Station is situated in the district of Penampang and it just about an hour drive from Kota Kinabalu or 20 min from the Dongongon township via the old Papar road. Driving uphill will experience its cool climate and a spectacular panoramic view of Kota Kinabalu and all of the islands overlooking the waterfront. The same view could be seen from a vantange point at the station. Visitor facilities such as chalets and restaurant were available within the substation. Trails were available to a waterfall and a longer trail which form parts of the salt trail of the Crocker Range Park . It is suitable for people who want to get away from the city. It is also suitable for photographers, nature loversand birdwatchers.

TAWAU HILLS PARK

Tawau Hills Park lies 24 km NW of Tawau and was gazetted to protect water catchment resources for Tawau Town and the Semporna Peninsula. At least 7 major rivers originate here. The Tawau River flows through the middle of the 27,972 ha park and forms many natural deepwater pools and waterfalls, for ex-ample, the Table Waterfall.

A network of roads leads to the park, passing through agricultural estates. A newly completed sealed road connected the park from Tawau Town. Oil palm, rubber and cocoa fringe the park’s boundaries. The terrain is hilly with two prime elevations - Gunung Magdalena ( 1310 metres) and Gunung Lucia ( 1201 metres). Bombalai Hill (530 metres) is a major

landmark.

The Park Headquarters comprises of an office and staff accommodation. There are chalets, hostels and restaurants operated by KOKTAS, the Sabah Parks staff cooperative. Nature trails lead to waterfalls and hotsprings.

The dominant original vegetation is the lowland dit-erocarp forest. However, nearly half the park, and almost all the forest below 500m. The remaining primary jungle is luxurious with many commercial timber species (dipterocarpus). The mengaris tree - notorious for its beehives - is common here. The Shorea faguetiana called pokok Seraya Siput Kuning (88.32 m) was recorded as the tallest tropical tree in the world’s. Above 1,000 metres, thick damp mossy forest takes over. Orchids, epiphytes and forest herbs grow in abundance. About 150 orchid species were recorded and among the attractive collections is the Elephant-Ear Orchid (Phalaenopsis Gigantea) - larg-est orchid leaves in the world’s.

Wildlife is abundant but animals tend to be shy and are not easily seen. There are large number of mam-mals varied ranging from Long Tailed Macaques and the Red Leaf Monkey. A score of tree-top inhabit-ants, especially the Borneon gibbons (Hylobates mu-elleri), the Maroon Langurs (Presbytis rubicunda) and the Grey-leaf monkeys (Presbytis hosei).Besides mammals, Tawau Hills Park also possesses a rich comunity of other vertebrates - amphibians. Of the 8 species of Hornbills known from Sabah, 6 species are found here, namely, the Black, Bushy-crested, Helmeted, Rhinoceros, White-crowned and the Wreathed hornbills. While, 3 species of the rare pheasants occur here, namely, the Crested-fireback, the Great argus and the Malayan peacock pheasants.

Featured Borneo Images

Grey Headed Lapwing by Eugene Cheah

TRAVEL DESTINATION

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