Wildlife-spotting in the jungles of Borneo
Five animals to look out for when searching for orangutans
A trip to see the orangutans in Borneo will inevitably bring you into contact with some of Malaysia and Indonesia’s other weird and wonderful wildlife. Here’s what you need to look out for.
Hornbill
Borneo’s lowland forests are home to eight species of hornbill, with the bird taking up an important cultural role in the motifs and designs of the native Dayak people.
Siamese crocodile
The Siamese crocodile is a medium-sized freshwater crocodile native to both Indonesia and Malaysia. It is critically endangered and was thought to be extinct in the wild between 1992 and 2000.
Borneo pygmy elephant
The smallest of all Asian elephant species, baby-faced pygmy elephants have pot-bellies, oversized ears and longer tails. Only 1,500 are left in existence, with their habitat destroyed by logging and palm oil plantations.
Civet
Civets are small, nocturnal mammals that live in the rainforests that are also home to the orangutans. However, they’re probably best known for their role in producing kopi luwak — a coffee made from beans excreted by the civet.
Sun bear
The reclusive sun bear is found only in the lowland rainforest of southeast Asia. Living up to 25 years, this is the smallest species of bear in the world. Despite the name, sun bears are nocturnal, shuffling through the forest at night on the hunt for berries, small lizards and rodents.
