Bidu Bidu

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Bidu Bidu

Approximately 60% of the land area in Sabah is forested and 48% of that is set aside as Permanent Forest Reserve or State or National Parks. Bidu Bidu was announced as one of those forest reserves in 1972, but was moved up to a Class 1 Protection Forest Reserve in 1984. The forest reserve is in the north eastern part of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo; Telupid is the nearest town which is 35km to the northeast. Bidu Bidu is 160km square it is surrounded by palm oil plantations and is managed by the Telupid District Forestry Office. The Bangau Bangau and the Terusan Sapi rivers run through the reserve meeting up with the larger Labuk River which flows just outside the boundaries of Bidu Bidu. There is one waterfall perfect for trekking to – the Bakong Bakong; it is situated near the northern edge of the reserve and there are basic facilities placed by the Ministry of Tourism in 1998.

The terrain of Bidu Bidu is prone to landslides as it is generally hilly with very steep slopes. The highest point of the park is Mount Bangau Bangau that reaches 648 metres. 80% of the forest reserve in covered by a rare ultramafic soil meaning it is rich in toxic heavy metals such as nickel, chromium, cobalt and magnesium. The soil is quite rocky, drains quickly and is typically dark red to brown in colour. There are three types of forests in Bidu Bidu, Lowland Ultramafic Forest, Upland Ultramafic Forest and a Kerangas Forest. The forests are somewhat dwarfed here resulting from a shortage of or high concentrations of one or two nutrients. Ultramafic Forests are one of the least studied ecosystems in Borneo and Bidu Bidu is no exception. Other than the occasional botanical collecting trips and cursory flora surveys there has been no systematic biological research carried out. Ultramafic soil is not really fertile for normal plants and some of the plants found here are endemic, meaning that they are confined to this soil type mainly due to their adaption to the area’s unique ecosystem. Dipterocarp trees dominate the main canopy and many orchids and carnivorous pitcher plants thrive here. Bidu Bidu harbours many fascinating and remarkable plants and biologists keep discovering new species to science in this area.

Bidu Bidu is not known to be suitable for the Orang Utan but several have been sighted recently. There are also signs of Sun Bears, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer and Barking Deer. Some rare and spectacular beetles were encountered, such as the stag beetle endemic to Sabah, Odontolabis Vollenhoveni, the intriguing guitar-like beetle, Mormolyce and the elegant Cyriopalus Wallacei, which has a comb-like antennae.
There is no accommodation available at Bidu Bidu, and it is not a well sought after place for visitors. Bidu Bidu Forest Reserve is an interesting place to spend the day trekking, picnicking and relaxing by the rivers or at the waterfall. Who knows, you may be the next to find a new species of flora or fauna!

SPECIALS

National Parks