Tabin wildlife reserve

Home

Tabin Wildlife Reserve occupies 120,500 hectares of the Dent peninsula that forms the northern headland of Darvel Bay and is located 48 kilometres from Lahad Datu in south east Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The Reserve is hilly in the central and western regions; the northern component connects to the lower reaches of the tributaries of the Sabah’s second longest river, the Segama. Tabin Wildlife Reserve serves as a protected breeding ground for Sabah’s endangered wildlife such as the Sumatran Rhinoceros, Pygmy Elephants, Clouded Leopards, Sun Bear, Tembadu (wild ox) and the Orang Utan.
Tabin Reserve is made up of lowland dipterocarp forest, swamp forests and mangroves with patches of native conifers at higher elevation. While most parts of the Reserve had been logged previously for the mature hardwoods there is still a small "core area" in the centre where virgin forests still stand. Originally the area was registered as Silabukan and Lumerau forest reserve in the 50's, and in 1968 it was placed under wildlife forest reserves of forest category class VII by the Forest Enactment of Sabah in 1968. This means that the jungle here is maintained for the sole purpose of wildlife preservation. However, the class VII category only covers what is known as the core area which is a fraction at only 8,600 hectares of flora with original genetic roots that date back millions of years. Among the dipterocarps are several species of bamboo, rattan, screwpine, wild orchids, mosses, lichens, and many fruit trees including fig, rambutan, pineapple, banana, and durian.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is so rich in abundance and great in diversity due in part to the mineral sources in the area; within the reserve there are salt licks, mineral spring’s three mud volcanoes (only the Lipad Mud Volcano is accessible to hikers). Large animals come to mud volcanoes to pep up on their supplements of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, and some researchers believe that a substance called kaolin in the soil neutralises toxic substances. It is said that just one glass of the mud has the equivalent amount of calcium in that of 100 glasses of milk!! Another reason why wildlife is found in abundance and in great diversity is the presence of many oil palm estates in the fringe of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The leaves, fruits, saplings and the growing tips of young palms provide food for the elephants, rhinos, wild boars, deer, monkeys, porcupines, rats, squirrels, birds and other herbivores.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in Malaysia but is perhaps most recognized as the last major stronghold of the Sumatra Rhinoceros in Borneo. It is estimated that only 30 of the Sumatran Rhino sub-species remain in Sabah's wildlife, the last survey in 2006 found at least 13 individuals within the reserve. The non-profit organization SOS Rhino has been participating with the government since 1998 in a successful SOS Rhino Borneo project in Tabin and they offer a chance for guests to assist the Rhino Protection Unit to collect survey data and partake in the conservation program to save this highly endangered species.

The Pygmy Elephant is also said to be healthy and thriving at Tabin with numbers near to 300. Initially it was first thought that elephants were brought to Borneo as gifts for the Sultan centuries ago but, in 2003, DNA evidence suggested that Borneo pygmy elephants are a genetically distinct population from their larger cousins on the Asian mainland. The smallest form of elephant, there is estimated to be less than 1,500 individuals remaining. Pygmy Elephants are found only in Sabah; they are not found in Sarawak or Brunei. There are approximately 1400 Orang Utans in Tabin as well 8 other species of primate, such as the Bornean Gibbon, Grey Leaf Monkey, Pig-Tailed Macaque, and the Tarsier. There are three species of Cats within Tabin Wildlife Reserve all of which are on the protected wildlife list, Clouded Leopard the largest of the carnivores in Borneo, Bornean Bay Cat, and the Leopard Cat which is the size of a domestic cat with a spotted body and holds a great affinity for water. Tabin holds several species of deer, giant squirrels, pangolins, and the tiny pygmy squirrel that weighs only 20grams!

Sabah is the land of the magnificent birds and at Tabin you will not be disappointed as they have an first-rate birding program. The forest of Tabin houses an amazingly rich diversity of birds, including rare and endemic species, due to the abundance of food plants here. The relatively open canopy with sufficient natural light makes birding and photography a delightful experience. About 42 indigenous families representing 220 species have been recorded here. Amongst them are at least seven of Sabah's eight hornbill species; rarely seen species such as the speckled piculet, chestnet-capped thrush and thick-bellied flowerpecker. Tabin is also inhabited by eight species that are confined to Borneo including the Bornean bristlehead, the large-billed blue flycatcher, the Asian paradise flycatcher, the dusky munia, the blue-headed pitta, the blue banded pitta, the black-throated wren-babbler and the Bornean wren-babbler. Birds of prey such as the owls, hawks and eagles also make their presence felt.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve is so unbelievably rich in flora and fauna one can easily spend two days there. Tabin Wildlife Resort is the only option for accommodation in the park, it was established in 2002. It consists of 10 very comfortable authentic Borneo timber bungalows on the Lipad River and 10 hill lodges. Each have hot showers and air-con and can sleep up to three guests. Tabin also offers 6 eco-tented platforms that can sleep between 4 and 6 but are reserved for groups 10 people or more. Spend your days birding in the rainforest, trekking for animals, covering yourself in mud, collecting Rhino data, taking night safaris, or simply relax in the vicinity of the lodge.

SPECIALS

National Parks