Day 4: Return to Civilization
Today we went on an eight-hour rock climbing expedition through the karst system, scaling vertical cliffs and crawling over jagged limestone boulders that covered the steep mountainside. Along the way, we passed several abandoned camps erected years before by swift bird nest extractors. Swift birds use saliva to attach their nests to the walls of caves hidden deep in the jungles of Borneo. Throughout Asia, soup made from the saliva and the nests has become a culinary delicacy. Because it is difficult and hazardous to collect these nests, local Indonesians can earn a hefty price for the nests and are willing to trek miles through dangerous terrain to collect them.
We reached the top of the mountain exhausted, dirty and hungry. As we pulled oranges and granola bars from our backpack, our guide Anto told us that only three people on Earth – all bird next extractors – had ever been on this mountain. The thrill of being the fourth person to ever stand on this spot waned slightly when Leo warned us to be careful on the way back down, saying if any of us fell or broke a leg, it would be impossible to carry the injured person down the almost vertical rock-covered mountainside.
On the way back to camp, Shane Fryer, a geological expert with the National Park Service who was on the expedition, discovered a small, eight-meter deep underground cave. He tied ropes to several trees and rocks around the mouth of the cave and propelled in. He emerged after collecting several species of snails and finding the skull of a monkey.
It was my last day with the expedition team. The next morning I jumped into the katinging with Puma and motored back to civilization. As our boat passed two giant monitor lizards scurrying along the shore and a wild pig that darted into the thick jungle, I began to feel a bit sad about leaving this spectacular landscape. But my sadness quickly disappeared as I thought about taking my first shower in five days.
Afterword
During the rest of the expedition, the scientific team visited three more sites, documenting an extraordinary amount of plant and animal species. Many proved to be unique to Borneo and others had never before been documented by science.
Preliminary results reveal the discovery of at least two new fish species, as well as a variety of new plant, snail and insect species including a “monster” cockroach and a giant millipede.
The Nature Conservancy will use the data collected on the expedition to work with the Indonesian government and other conservation partners to make sure that these rare and unique species will not lose their homes to the growing threats of logging, mining and fires. All data also will be handed over to the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and other conservation partners.
Once the incredible biological importance of the kart systems of East Kalimantan are better understood, The Nature Conservancy hopes that the scientific, public and private sectors will join forces to protect these last great places.
Learn more about Borneo and East Kalimantan, Indonesia:
- Press Release: Scientists Discover New Animal and Plant Species Hidden Deep in Borneo Jungles
A team of international scientists led by The Nature Conservancy announced the discovery of at least two new fish species and a variety of previously unknown insect, snail and plant species living in the karst systems of Borneo.
- Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Indonesia
Indonesia is one of the world’s most extraordinary storehouses of biodiversity. Although it covers only 1.3% of Earth’s land surface, it is home to about 17% of the plant and animal species of the world.
- How You Can Help: Adopt an Acre®
Every second of every day, an area the size of a football field is cleared. That's 86,400 football fields per day, seven days a week. By adopting an acre, you are providing critical funds for rainforest acquisition and protection enabling the Conservancy and its partners to achieve their mission of protecting biological diversity.
Photo credits (top to bottom): © Harry Wiriadinata, © Renny Hadiaty.
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