KINABATANGAN FLOOD PLAIN: WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS IN KAMPUNG BILIT AREA MARCH 2011

The Genting Plantations Bhd signage installed close to the Tenegang Besar River bank in the riparian buffer zone. The buffer zone lies between the river and the Tenegang Estate belonging to Genting Plantations Bhd. Genting Plantations Bhd in its Sustainability Report (included in its 2010 annual report) mentioned that "When it comes to plantations development & expansion we take a careful & meticulous approach to avoid any encroachment to HCV (High Conservation Value) & riparian buffer zones."

The Great Egret (Egretta Alba) is a solitary bird & they are found in abundance along the Kinabatangan River banks. They wait patiently by the river bank while hunting for fish. This Egret took off after being disturbed by our boat when it came too close for its comfort.

This is a close-up of one of the Oriental Pied Horn-bills

This is a flock of Oriental Pied Horn-bills. They are resting after they had foraged for fruits especially figs before they return home to roost later in the evening. Photo taken in the riparian buffer zone along the Tenegang Besar River.

The Asian Forest Scorpions thrive in most of the tropical forests in Asia. These black shiny scorpions will readily sting when they feel cornered or threatened. Our guide however can coolly & gently handle them in a manner that they would not sting.
This family of long-tailed macaque monkeys seek refuge from a herd of much fierce pig-tailed macaque monkeys by playing along the "monkey bridge" built over the Tenegang Besar River a tributary of the Kinabatangan.

This young long-tailed macaque is standing on the branches of mangrove trees along the Tenegang Besar River bank in the riparian buffer zone. It is foraging for wild fruits as well as hunting for fishes which come close to the river bank within the monkey's reach.

This is a monitor lizard found in the Tenegang Besar River riparian buffer zone. It is fond of clinging to the branches of trees as it enjoys basking in the sun. It is perched high up to look for prey which comprise rats, small animals as well as fish as it is a good swimmer. It also like to steal all kinds of eggs for food. In addition it feeds on all kinds of carrion.

This is an Oriental Darter found atop a tree by the banks of the Tenegang Besar River. It is also known as the Snake Bird as it looks like a snake when it is swimming in the river with most of its body submerged except for its head while hunting for fish. It uses its long sharp beak to pierce the fishes.

This is a sleeping black-backed kingfisher. We spotted it during our jungle night walk. These birds are often found in the swamps which are subject to periodic flooding from the river tide. They are hardly found along the river as their favourite food are the insects & worms.

This blood sucking critter crawled stealthily into my right rubber boot while I was trekking in the swamp forest. It lodged on my leg just above my ankle. I only discovered its presence when I removed my boots when I returned to the nature lodge. It was still enjoying its meal & I had to pry hard to remove the pesky fellow. Blood continued to ooze for another half an hour before it started to clot. My fellow visitor found another blood thirsty leech clinging strongly to my neck below the Adam's Apple.I therefore qualified as a blood donor to Kinabatangan River Basin.

Tiger Leech, a vicious blood thirsty creature commonly found in tropical rain forests. They live on the blade of grasses & leaves & are attracted to animals by body heat. Their bite are painless as they inject a kind of anesthesia & they also inject a type of coagulant which ensures that the blood of their victim keep on flowing while they are feeding. They will drop off when satiated, otherwise their grip to the skin of the victims are tenacious.