Gomantong Caves
Sabah
The Gomantong Caves are an extensive limestone cave system situated within the Gomantong Forest Reserve in Sabah, Malaysia. Renowned for their ecological and cultural significance, these caves host millions of swiftlets whose edible nests have been harvested for centuries, forming an ancient tradition dating back at least to AD 500. The caves are divided into two main parts: Simud Hitam (Black Cave), accessible to the public and known for darker, feather-laden nests, and Simud Putih (White Cave), which contains the more valuable pure saliva nests and requires technical caving skills to access. Beyond swiftlets, the caves shelter a large colony of wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats, whose nightly exodus attracts visitors, as well as various other wildlife including cockroaches, centipedes, and raptors like crested serpent eagles. The surrounding protected forest is also home to endangered species such as orangutans and the rare land snail Plectostoma mirabile. The caves are accessible via wooden walkways, allowing visitors to safely explore parts of this natural wonder while respecting its protected status.
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Astuce: Visitors should plan their trip between February to April or July to September to witness the traditional swiftlet nest harvesting, but must respect protected areas and regulations. Booking guided tours in advance is recommended for safety and to gain deeper insights. Wear sturdy footwear and bring suitable gear for cave exploration, especially if attempting to access Simud Putih. Licensed harvesting is strictly regulated to protect swiftlet populations, so visitors should avoid unlicensed activities.
Faits intéressants
- •The bat colony in Gomantong Caves numbers around 275,000 individuals, primarily wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats.
- •Swiftlet nests harvested here are among the most valuable edible bird's nests, used in traditional bird's nest soup.
- •The caves host the only known population of the endangered land snail species Plectostoma mirabile.
- •Bat hawks prey on bats as they exit the caves at dusk, creating a unique predator-prey spectacle.
- •The traditional nest harvesting uses rattan ladders and bamboo poles, a method practiced for centuries by indigenous communities.
Histoire
The Gomantong Caves were first documented scientifically in 1889 by J.H.
Allard and mapped in 1930 by P.
Orolfo, with more detailed surveys conducted in 2012 and 2014.
The caves have been used for swiftlet nest harvesting for over 1,500 years, a practice integral to local indigenous communities such as the Ida'an people.
Historically, the caves and surrounding forests have been protected under Sabah's Wildlife Conservation Enactment of 1997 to preserve their unique biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Ownership and harvesting rights have historically been controlled by local leaders, with traditional equipment like rattan ladders used for nest collection.
Guide du lieu
Simud Hitam (Black Cave)
This cave is the more accessible part of the Gomantong Caves, open to the public with a wooden walkway. It features ceilings up to 60 meters high and is home to swiftlets that produce the less valuable nests containing feathers and saliva.
Simud Putih (White Cave)
The larger and more challenging cave, accessible only to experienced cavers with proper equipment. It contains the precious pure saliva nests highly prized in the bird's nest trade and is reached by a steep 30-minute climb above Simud Hitam.