🌍 GREAT NEWS FOR BORNEO’S WILDLIFE! 🌍
We are absolutely thrilled to share a monumental breakthrough for conservation science! 🎉 The Wildlife Health, Genetic and Forensic Laboratory (WHGFL) of the Sabah Wildlife Department is officially the first laboratory in Borneo—and one of only 13 globally—to be included in the prestigious CITES Directory of Laboratories that Conduct Wildlife Forensic Testing.
🧬 What does this mean for conservation❓
1️⃣ Local Power - No more shipping biological evidence abroad! Samples can now be processed locally in Sabah, bypassing logistical delays and biosecurity risks.
2️⃣ Bulletproof Evidence - The lab can now provide internationally recognised, DNA-based evidence to convict international wildlife traffickers in court.
3️⃣ Proven Impact - The unit has already supported nearly 200 wildlife crime cases since 2021, analysing everything from pangolin scales to poached banteng meat. They’ve even exposed black-market fraud by proving some sun bear bile was actually pig or chicken bile!
As our very own Dr Milena Salgado Lynn (DGFC Scientific Advisor & WHGFL Forensic Unit Coordinator) notes, this multi-year journey to international accreditation was driven by the incredible partnership between the Sabah Wildlife Department, DGFC, TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, and Conservation Medicine.
This milestone was made possible thanks to vital funding from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) under our capacity-building and SHIELD programmes. This isn't just a win for science; it’s a massive victory for Sabah’s most vulnerable species 🐘🐾🛡️
@5rhidupanliar_ 5R Hidupan Liar
#WildlifeForensics #ConservationScience #SabahWildlife #DanauGirangFieldCentre #CITES #FightWildlifeCrime #Borneo
🦨 Rare Sighting Alert: The Elusive Stink Badger! 🌿
Our researchers just had a 'scent-sational' encounter in the depths of the Kinabatangan rainforest! While out in the field, the team managed to spot the elusive Malay badger (also known as the Sunda stink badger or Mydaus javanensis).
Despite the name, seeing one of these guys is a breath of fresh air! These nocturnal floor-dwellers are notoriously shy and aren't spotted nearly as often as our primate friends.
Quick facts about the stink badger:
1. The 'Stink' Factor - Much like skunks, they have specialised glands that can release a strong-smelling secretion to deter predators. You definitely want to admire them from a distance!
2. The Look - They are easily identified by their short tails and a stunning white stripe running down their dark fur.
3. The Diet - They are expert diggers, using their strong claws to hunt for earthworms and insects in the forest soil.
Every sighting like this helps us better understand the distribution and habits of Borneo’s lesser-known carnivores. It’s a vivid reminder that the Kinabatangan is home to so much more than what we see in the canopy!
🎥 By @amaziasizamoria
#DanauGirang #Kinabatangan #StinkBadger #BorneoWildlife #RainforestResearch #Sabah #WildlifeSighting #HiddenBorneo
Exciting announcement coming soon! 🎉
Thank you, @thestaronline and Datuk Muguntan Vanar, for the press coverage 🙏. Exciting things are coming!
5R Hidupan Liar @5rhidupanliar_ U.S. Department of State
Today is Endangered Species Day, but at Danau Girang Field Centre, every sunrise marks a new day in the fight for survival. Deep in the heart of the Kinabatangan, we aren't just observing wildlife; we are documenting the pulse of a changing ecosystem.
From the iconic Bornean orangutan swinging through the canopy to the elusive, heavily-armoured Sunda pangolin, our neighbours are among the most threatened species on Earth. The fragmented forests of Sabah are home to some of the world's most unique biodiversity, including:
🐘 Bornean elephants - Smallest of their kind, facing shrinking habitats.
🐒 Proboscis monkeys - Found only on the island of Borneo.
🐆 Clouded leopards - The ghosts of the forest, dependent on healthy jungle corridors.
Conservation isn’t just about passion; it’s about data. Through GPS collaring, camera trapping, and genetic research, our team works tirelessly to understand how these species move and survive in a human-dominated landscape. We don't just find problems; we provide the evidence needed to create protected corridors and sustainable policies.
How can you help❓
You don't have to be a scientist to save a species. Here are some small steps you can take to make a difference:
1️⃣ Support Sustainable Palm Oil - Look for the RSPO label to protect forest habitats.
2️⃣ Spread Awareness - Share the stories of the Kinabatangan’s wildlife with your friends.
3️⃣ Donate - Support our field operations and help us keep our researchers on the ground.
The clock is ticking for Borneo's icons. Let’s ensure 'Endangered' doesn't become 'Extinct'.
#EndangeredSpeciesDay #DanauGirang #Kinabatangan #Sabah #BorneoWildlifeConservation #SaveTheOrangutan #ScienceForConservation #PangolinPower #ElephantConservation
🌟 Huge Congratulations to Our Selected Participants! 🌟
We are thrilled to announce the three outstanding students selected for the upcoming 14-day all-expenses-paid field course organised by the University of Wyoming, led by the esteemed Professor Brent Ewers.
From May 22 to June 4, these scholars will dive into an immersive educational experience at the Danau Girang Field Centre. Please join us in celebrating:
1️⃣ Razieyantie binti Razilie from W.P Labuan
B.Sc. (Hons.) Conservation Biology, UMS (2025)
2️⃣ Mohd Sarizan bin Nuid from Kota Belud, Sabah
Master of Ed. (TVET), UPM (2023)
3️⃣ Pviana Vera Patrick from Penampang, Sabah
B. Forestry Science (Hons.) Nature Parks & Recreation, UMS (2025)
This program is designed to be an eye-opening deep dive into field research and conservation. We can’t wait to see the insights and energy you bring to the Danau Girang Field Centre! We are ready to welcome you to the heart of the jungle for what promises to be a transformative two weeks 🌳🐘
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted their resumes and letters of interest. The calibre of applications was incredibly high, and your passion for your respective fields is truly inspiring. If you weren't selected this time, please stay tuned—we hope to welcome you to future programmes! 🤝
#Conservation #FieldCourse #UniversityOfWyoming #DanauGirangFieldCentre #SabahSpecialists #STEM #EducationJourney #UMS #UPM
We asked ChatGPT to create a Millennial PR Team vs. Gen Z Social Team image for DGFC, and it came up with this. Close enough? But most importantly, who's that lady researcher? 🧐
#MillennialVsGenZ #JoiningTheBandwagon #Conservation #Borneo #WildlifeConservation
These snippets don’t do Ollie justice, if you wanna know more about him, his research, and life living at a research centre in the jungle, ‘Fungalist’ is up on the Substack 🫡🍀.
I’ve settled in Borneo and I’ll be here for a while now, thanks to everyone who’s getting around the writing and the project, it means the world 🫶🫶.
More on the way!! Ttyl ✌️.
In the world of orangutans, males play a high-stakes game of 'choose your fighter' through a phenomenon called bimaturism. Rather than a single path to adulthood, they develop into one of two distinct forms.
Flanged males are the dominant heavyweights of the orangutan world, characterised by wide cheek pads and massive throat sacs used for territorial long calls. While they are the preferred mates for females, this status comes at a high cost: they must consume massive amounts of calories to maintain their size and endure the physical exhaustion of defending their territory against constant rivals.
Unflanged males are sexually mature adults that lack the distinct physical features of dominant males, allowing them to blend in with females and sub-adults. Their strategy relies on stealth and mobility; by avoiding direct conflict and requiring fewer calories, they can quietly search for mating opportunities while maintaining a lower-stress, more energy-efficient lifestyle.
Why the difference? 🤔
Scientists believe the switch to becoming flanged is triggered by a combination of social status, hormones, and environmental factors.
1️⃣ Hormonal Control - A surge in testosterone triggers the development of flanges. Interestingly, the presence of a dominant flanged male nearby can actually suppress the hormones of other males, keeping them in the unflanged state for years—sometimes even decades!
2️⃣ Strategic Timing - An orangutan might wait for a 'power vacuum' (when a dominant male leaves or dies) before his body finally makes the permanent, irreversible transformation into a flanged male.
3️⃣ The 'Waiting Room' - Staying unflanged is often the best of a bad situation tactic. It allows a male to survive and even sire offspring while waiting for the perfect moment to become the dominant 'king' of the canopy.
Nature’s way of ensuring survival is never one-size-fits-all. Whether a loud, proud flanged male or a quiet, mobile unflanged one, both play a vital role in the future of this incredible species 🌿✨
📸 by Sunnyorangutan0 (Reddit) and Dr Ben
#Orangutans #WildlifeFacts #Borneo #Conservation #AnimalBehavior #SabahWildlife #NatureIsAmazing
A huge shout-out to the incredible group from Cornwall University (@newquayuniversitycentre )! They rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty, working alongside the DGFC team in planting native tree species, such as Bongkol, Sepat, Salungapid, and Laran, for a greener tomorrow.
Why native species matter? 🌳
When it comes to reforestation, not all trees are created equal. Planting native species—the ones that have evolved in this soil over millennia—is the secret sauce for a successful project. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Restoring the Food Web - Native trees provide the specific fruits, leaves, and seeds that Bornean elephants, orangutans, and proboscis monkeys rely on for survival.
2️⃣ Climate Resilience - Local species are naturally adapted to the Kinabatangan’s unique climate and flooding cycles, making them much more likely to survive and thrive without heavy maintenance.
3️⃣ Boosting Biodiversity - Native trees create the perfect habitat for local insects, birds, and fungi, rebuilding the entire ecosystem from the ground up rather than creating a green desert.
4️⃣ Wildlife Corridors - By planting the right trees in the right places, we are connecting fragmented patches of forest, allowing animals to move safely through the landscape.
A big thank you to the Cornwall team for their sweat, spirit, and dedication to conservation. Together, we are ensuring the Kinabatangan remains a thriving sanctuary for generations to come 🌿🐒✨
📸 By @amaziasizamoria
#Kinabatangan #Conservation #Reforestation #DanauGirang #CornwallUniversity #Sabah #NativeSpecies #WildlifeHabitat #GenerationRestoration
On Mother's Day last year, on the Gerik-Jeli Highway, a mother elephant lost her calf. Not to nature, but to a preventable collision with a truck. The image of that mother lingering by her calf’s side is a haunting reminder of the cost of our encroachment into their homes.
Roads should be bridges to progress, not death traps for Malaysia’s iconic wildlife. This tragedy wasn't just an accident—it was a symptom of a landscape that doesn't yet prioritise the safe passage of its oldest inhabitants.
At Danau Girang Field Centre, we aren't just mourning; we are moving. Alongside our partners at @seratu_aatai , we work every single day to ensure this history doesn't repeat itself. Our mission is clear:
1️⃣ Advocating for Infrastructure - Pushing for wildlife crossings, overpasses, and underpasses that allow herds to migrate without entering the line of fire.
2️⃣ Data-Driven Solutions - Using GPS collaring and spatial data to identify hotspots where interventions are needed most.
3️⃣ Raising Awareness - Reminding every driver that when you traverse these highways, you are a guest in their living room.
How can you make a difference❓
🚖 Drive Vigilantly - If you are travelling through forested corridors like Gerik-Jeli, Kalabakan or the Kinabatangan, slow down. Respect the signage.
🤝 Support the Advocacy - Stand with NGOs like DGFC and Seratu Aatai as we lobby for safer, more sustainable infrastructure.
💬 Share this Story - Keep the memory of the Gerik-Jeli calf alive so that the momentum for change doesn't fade.
🤱As we honour our own mothers today on Mother's Day, we must also honour the mothers of the forest. Let’s build a future where they can raise their young in safety 🌿🐘
#MothersDay #JusticeForWildlife #GerikJeli #ElephantConservation #DGFC #SeratuAatai #WildlifeFriendlyHighways #SaveTheElephants
On World Migratory Bird Day, we’re looking up at the skies of the Kinabatangan. Our sanctuary isn't just a home for residents like the rhinoceros hornbill; it’s a critical refuelling station for thousands of birds travelling the East Asian-Australasian Flyway ✈️🦅
From the elegant blue-winged pitta to the striking Japanese paradise flycatcher, these birds cross oceans and mountain ranges to find sanctuary in our forest patches. Their journey reminds us that conservation has no borders—the protection we provide here in Sabah supports biodiversity thousands of miles away 🌏
Let’s keep the Corridor of Life open and safe for our feathered visitors 🌿✨
#WorldMigratoryBirdDay #WMBD2026 #DanauGirang #Kinabatangan #BorneoBirds #BirdMigration #SabahWildlife #ConservationWithoutBorders
