HUTAN is based in the village of Sukau, but our intervention area covers most of the lower Kinabatangan, and beyond.
Sukau
Sukau, a small village of about 1200 people is the home base for the HUTAN project. The inhabitants are mainly from the “Sungai” ethnic group, which means “River” in the Malay language.
Simpang Sukau
The village of Sukau is 42 km away from the intersection on the highway linking Sandakan to Lahad Datu.
Gomantong caves
These caves are found in the most massive limestone outcrop in the Lower Kinabatangan region. The primary cave system is divided into two parts: Simud Hitam and Simud Puteh. Vast colonies of edible nest swiftlets, bat hawks, and about 300,000 bats live inside the caves. Since 500 AD, the edible swiftlet nests are harvested and traded to produce bird nest soup.
Hornbill artificial nests
Along the Kinabatangan River, a careful observer may see plastic drums up in trees. These are the artificial nests erected by HUTAN to provide breeding opportunities to hornbills. Because of past timber extraction, hornbills hardly find suitable tree cavities for breeding in Lower Kinabatangan, and their populations are declining. However, several pairs of hornbills are now regularly using these artificial nest boxes; this gives hope for their future.
Orang-utan Bridge
The destruction of large trees along small River tributaries suppressed the natural bridges that were used by orang-utans and non-swimmer animals to cross these water bodies. The HUTAN teams are setting up “artificial bridges” with ropes and webbings to re-establish the connection between riversides. Macaques and proboscis monkeys are extensively using these bridges, providing endless picture opportunities for tourists.
HUTAN Tree nursery
The HUTAN Tree Nursery is a collection center for tree seedlings that have been purchased from local communities. Here the team takes care of the seedlings until they are strong enough to be transplanted to the reforestation plots, their final destination.
Wildlife Surveys
Documenting population trends is essential to adapt and evaluate the results and effectiveness of conservation activities undertaken in the area.
HUTAN Station
The main HUTAN Headquarters is generously hosted by the Sabah Wildlife Department and is located at the mouth of the Menninggul River. This building is used by the Education and the WSP teams, as well as for meetings and seminars.
Swiftlet in Pangi
This very ancient coral reef is now covered with limestone forests and harbors an intricate cave system. Our teams are protecting the swiftlet colonies living there against poachers. Illegal collection of the nests of these small birds to fuel the bird nest soup trade is drawing these colonies toward extinction.
Forest corridor
The HUTAN Reforestation team is creating a contiguous corridor of forest along the Kinabatangan river to provide food and shelter to the animals and assist in their movements. Riparian forests are an essential component of a healthy river ecosystem.
Environmental education
The HUTAN Environmental Awareness Program interventions are organized in school premice and villages across Sabah. They also take place in the field at the HEAP Camping or planting sites—what a great way to give the kids first-hand experience with the forest and wildlife.
Orang-utan study site
The KOCP Orang-utan study site is about 800 ha; it is located within Lot 2 of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Since 1998, the Orang-utan team has followed more than 50 wild orang-utans and secured more than 25,000 hours of direct observation in this intensive study area.
Elephants
Elephants are often spotted along the Kinabatangan River during their movements or when they take a bath late afternoon. However, they now spend an increasing amount of time within the agricultural landscape dominated by oil palm plantations. You never know when and where they will show up at the river banks!
Reforestation
Several reforestation plots created and maintained by a team of women from Sukau are visible from the River. Now the HUTAN Reforestation team is increasingly working inside plantations to make the overall landscape more resilient for wildlife.
Honorary wildlife wardens
Together with the Sabah Wildlife Department and other partners, the Honorary Wildlife Wardens are patrolling the Kinabatangan floodplain to protect the animals and the forest. Using boat, car, helicopter, drone, and their boots, they are the guardians of the floodplain.
Village of Abai
Located at the entrance of the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, the village of Abai is accessible only by boat. This village of fishermen is the gateway to the extensive mangroves of the lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands Ramsar Site.
Mangroves
The mangroves of Lower Kinabatangan are a transitional habitat between the seashore and the wet forests of the floodplain. These mangroves are characterized by Nipah palms and aerial roots of Rhizophora trees. Proboscis monkeys and Irrawady dolphins are frequent sightings in this habitat, as well as orang-utans.
Danau Girang Field Center
Located upriver from Sukau, DGFC is a research center under Cardiff University and the Sabah Wildlife Department.
