Due to its vast hinterland of jungle and limestone caves, the Kinabatangan floodplain has for centuries assumed strategic economic importance as a source for edible bird’s nests, bee wax, rattan and ivory. Many believe that as China and Borneo has trade links as far back as 631AD, the origin of the name “Kinabatangan” was derived from Kina (China) and Batang (large river). Moreover, based on Chinese records, there existed a Chinese settlement in the area most probably around Sukau.
Also in the 15th Century, a Chinese princess from the Kinabatangan married the first Sultan of Brunei. Between 1791-1808, the Sultan of Sulu even put his son as governor of this area and later in 1881, British North Borneo Chartered Company took over control of this area and paid US$5,000 per year to the Sultan of Sulu.
Among the 200 species found in the region are 8 species of hornbill (rhinoceros, helmeted, black, pied, wreathed, wrinkled, white crowned and bushy crested), oriental darter, several species of egret, Storm’s stork, Sunda ground cuckoo, stork billed kingfisher, brahminy kite, crested serpent eagle, greater coucal, red-crowned barbet, black and yellow broadbill, white-rumped shama, white-chested babbler, heron, hawk, osprey, falcon, pheasant, parakeet, buffy fish owl, frogmouth, nightjar, trogon, bee eater, roller, woodpecker, pitta, swallow, bulbul, forktail, warbler, flycatcher, flowerpecker, spiderhunter, drongo, oriole and crow.
Some 27 species of bats or an estimated 2 million bats, mostly wrinkled-lipped bats roost in Gomantong Caves. Among the famous inbabitants are four species of swiftlets namely white-nest swiftlet, black-nest swiftlet, mossy-nest swiftlet and white-bellied swiftlet. However only the first two species produce the coveted edible nests, which are made out of their saliva. A top grade white nest can fetch as much as US$4,000 / kg in Hong Kong.
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