Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria in Malaysian Borneo announces nature ambassador
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Sail will be responsible for leading the development of the resort’s Nature Reserve and promoting its news, initiatives and innovative eco-tourism product to an international audience.
Rasa Ria is a beach-side resort with its own 64-acre nature reserve within 400 acres of tropical jungle, near Sabah’s Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reserve is home to countless mammals such as long-tailed macaques, sambar deer, pangolins, porcupines, slow loris, bear cats (binturong) and the famous huge-eyed western tarsiers, many of which have been abandoned so have been brought to the reserve to be rehabilitated.
These animals reside alongside over 60 species of birds, 30 species of butterflies, and an array of indigenous plants including the rare Borneo orchids. The reserve is currently on a two-year development plan which will include the introduction of a range of new features, including a trail system.
Sail Jamaludin was born and bred in North Borneo and has a career in wildlife conservation spanning nearly 30 years. In 1996 Sail was brought on to set up Rasa Ria’s nature reserve and for the past 20 years he and his team of eight rangers have been running the Reserve and the Nature Interpretation Centre. In addition, Sail has led numerous community activities such as controlling forest clearing and helping villagers initiate eco-villages.
The resort runs a comprehensive scheduled nature programme, including canopy treks through the tree tops, specialist tours such as bird-watching and entomology, and Wildlife Wednesdays whereby a different plant, mammal or insect is highlighted each week.
For 2016/17 the resort is rolling out a range of new nature experiences including: a Night Vision Nocturnal Trek; the Sabah Native Trail; the ‘Breakfast with a View’ jungle tour; the Little Rangers Experience; and the Sandakan Orangutan Day Trip. Sail and his team of rangers will also create bespoke tours for guests.
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