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Tawau Hills Park
A Hidden Gem of Borneo’s Rainforest
24Km from Tawau Town

Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Sabah, Malaysia, Tawau Hills Park is a lesser-known paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Located just 24 kilometers from Tawau town, this national park spans over 28,000 hectares of lush tropical rainforest, towering trees, and cascading waterfalls. While most visitors to Borneo head straight to Kinabalu National Park or the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Tawau Hills Park remains a hidden gem waiting to be explored. From volcanic landscapes to rare wildlife encounters, this park offers an unforgettable adventure into the heart of Borneo’s natural beauty.

A Landscape Shaped by Volcanoes

One of the park’s most fascinating features is its volcanic origins. Tawau Hills Park sits on an ancient volcanic landscape, which has given rise to its nutrient-rich soil and unique topography. The area is home to several extinct volcanoes, including Mount Magdalena, Mount Lucia, and Mount Maria. Hikers eager for a challenge can trek up these peaks, with Mount Magdalena being the tallest at 1,310 meters. Along the way, expect to see dense forests, bubbling hot springs, and even old lava flows—a reminder of the region’s fiery past.

Biodiversity Wonderland

For wildlife biologists, Tawau Hills Park is a dream come true. The park serves as an essential refuge for many of Borneo’s endangered species, including the elusive clouded leopard, slow loris, and various hornbill species. Keen-eyed visitors might also spot the critically endangered Bornean orangutan swinging through the canopy or a troop of macaques foraging in the undergrowth.

One of the park’s most famous residents is the world’s tallest tropical tree—a Yellow Meranti (Shorea faguetiana) towering at 100.8 meters. Standing beneath its massive trunk is a humbling experience, reminding us of the incredible biodiversity hidden within Borneo’s forests.

Butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians abound in the park, while birdwatchers will be thrilled to encounter species such as the Rhinoceros Hornbill, Black-and-Red Broadbill, and Blue-banded Pitta. At night, the forest comes alive with a chorus of nocturnal creatures, from chirping cicadas to glowing fungi scattered across the forest floor.

Incredible Wildlife and Flora

Tawau Hills Park is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife, including rare and endemic species. The park’s dense rainforests provide shelter for Sun Bears, the smallest species of bear in the world, as well as the Sunda Pangolin, a critically endangered species known for its distinctive armored scales. Agile Gibbons can often be heard calling in the early morning, and lucky visitors might spot the rare Bornean Pygmy Elephant roaming through the dense undergrowth.

Reptiles and amphibians thrive in the park’s warm and humid climate. The Bornean Keeled Pit Viper is one of the park’s many snake species, while gliding lizards, such as Draco species, can be seen effortlessly flying between trees. The park’s streams and ponds are home to numerous frog species, including the striking Harlequin Tree Frog.

In terms of flora, Tawau Hills Park boasts an impressive array of plant life. Towering Dipterocarp trees dominate the canopy, providing essential habitat for arboreal animals. Giant ferns, carnivorous pitcher plants (Nepenthes species), and colorful orchids flourish in the humid understory. The park is also home to rare medicinal plants used by indigenous communities for generations.

Top 5 At-Risk Animal Species in Tawau Hills Park

Tawau Hills Park provides a crucial sanctuary for many endangered species. Here are five of the most at-risk animals found in the park:

1. Bornean Pygmy Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) – The smallest subspecies of Asian elephants, these gentle giants face threats from habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict.
    
2. Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica) – Critically endangered due to illegal poaching for their scales and meat, these shy nocturnal mammals play a vital role in controlling insect populations.
    
3. Red Leaf Monkey (Presbytis rubicunda) – Also known as Maroon Langurs, these striking primates are at risk due to deforestation and hunting.
    
4. Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) – Revered in local folklore, this majestic bird is threatened by habitat loss and poaching for the illegal pet trade.
    
5. Bornean Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi borneensis) – A rare and elusive predator, this wild cat is highly threatened by deforestation and poaching.

Top 5 At-Risk Plant Species in Borneo

The park also harbors a diverse range of plant species, some of which are endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal harvesting. Here are five of the most at-risk plant species:

1. Rafflesia (Rafflesia keithii) – The world’s largest flower, this parasitic plant is rare and highly sensitive to environmental changes.
    
2. Yellow Meranti (Shorea faguetiana) – This giant of the rainforest is threatened by illegal logging despite its protected status.
    
3. Bornean Ironwood (Eusideroxylon zwageri) – A highly durable hardwood species, it is often logged for its valuable timber.
    
4. Nepenthes rajah (Giant Pitcher Plant) – The largest carnivorous plant in the world, it faces threats from habitat destruction and illegal collection.
    
5. Orchid species (Paphiopedilum rothschildianum) – Also known as the “Gold of Kinabalu,” this rare and beautiful orchid is at risk due to poaching and habitat loss.

A Call for Scientific Study and Conservation Efforts

Tawau Hills Park represents an invaluable living laboratory for biologists, ecologists, and conservationists. Despite its remarkable biodiversity, much of its flora and fauna remain understudied. More scientific research is urgently needed to understand the behaviors, ecological roles, and conservation needs of the park’s unique species.

Biologists and researchers should seize the opportunity to study this pristine rainforest, uncover new species, and contribute to conservation strategies that will protect its fragile ecosystem. By increasing scientific efforts in Tawau Hills Park, we can raise global awareness, support habitat protection, and ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at Borneo’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Why Tawau Hills Park Deserves Attention

While Sabah is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, many travelers overlook Tawau Hills Park in favor of more famous destinations. However, for those willing to venture off the beaten path, this park offers an unparalleled experience of Borneo’s rainforests without the crowds.

 

Whether you're an avid hiker, wildlife photographer, or simply a nature lover, Tawau Hills Park is a place where adventure and tranquility coexist...................... and a place where a poet wrote his lament:
 

Ode to Tawau Hills

O Tawau Hills, emerald crown of Borneo,
Where the ancient earth breathes in silent wisdom,
And towering trees whisper secrets to the sky.
Your rivers, like silver veins, carve stories in stone,
While the mist rises at dawn, a veil upon your sacred heart.

Here, the pygmy elephant treads with gentle might,
The hornbill sings a song of longing to the morning sun,
And the forest, a cathedral of life, hums with unseen wonders.
Each leaf, a page in the scripture of time,
Each shadow, a memory of seasons long past.

Yet, the hands of men carve wounds upon your body,
And the silent ones—those who creep, soar, and roam—
Speak in fading echoes of a home that was once whole.
Who will listen? Who will answer their call?