Malaysia Borneo Caves, Sabah, Gomantong 马来西亚婆罗洲，沙巴州属，哥曼东洞
Malaysia Borneo Caves, Sabah, Gomantong
马来西亚婆罗洲，沙巴州属，哥曼东洞
Gomantong Cave is located in
Gomantong Forest Reserve Class VI (Virgin Forest) with an area of 3,297 hectares,
in Kinabatangan District. It is a limestone outcrop that forms the largest
limestone hills in this area. In the limestone hills there are at least 19
caves which for centuries have resulted swallows to build their swallow's nest
there. Gomantong Cave is one of the caves listed in Part II of Schedule 4 of
the government owned caves as set out in section 85 (1) of the Wildlife
Conservation Enactment 1997 (EPHL97).
Gomantong Cave is an example of the
success of the Sabah State Government through the Department of Wildlife that
ensures the preservation of “in-situ” of two swallow’s species (Cistothorus
platensis and Aeordramus maximus). Systematic bird nest harvesting management
ensures that both populations of swallow’s species will remain forever.
Bird nests that are produced in
this cave are the best in the world. There are two types of nests produced in
Gomantong Caves (Black nest and White nest).The harvest and collection of
bird's nests are conducted twice a year and is regulated by the Department of
Wildlife, as provided in section 85 ( 6 ) EPHL97 . White nest harvesting is
done in February and August, while the black nests are harvested in April and
August.
The task of harvesting birds' nests
in Gomantong Cave is done by contractors appointed by the government through a
tender system, different from Madai Cave where the harvest is done by the heirs
of the cave. Black and white nests produced in 15 caves and the remaining 4
caves just produce black nest only. The market price for a kilogram of white
nests can reach up to RM7000 while for black nest is between 3,000 - RM4000 per
kilogram.
Swallows species that produce black
nests have a slower breeding periods compared with Swallows species that
produce white nests. For the Swallows that produce white nests, their egg
incubation period is 23 days and when the chicks hatches, it needs a period of
six weeks to learn how to fly and then it will leave their mother’s nests.
While for the Swallows that produce
black nest, the incubation period is 28 days and when it hatches, the chicks
requires a period of 8 weeks to learn how to fly and then it will leave their
mother’s nests. Therefore, harvesting the two types of bird's nests can only be
harvested after 3 ½ - 4 months after the birds lay their eggs.
Bird’s nests harvesting activities
is an incredibly unique and impressive sight which can be seen during the
harvest season. The workers who harvest these birds nest used traditional tools
such as “piatau”, “gegulug”, “sesungkit” and “ambong” to harvest the bird’s
nests. All equipment is made of rattan and bamboo. The ability of these workers
which is climbing the “gegulug” and standing on the floating “piatau” provides
an exceptional view for visitors.
The change of "shifts"
between swallows and bats can be seen every evening between of 5:15p.m to
6:15p.m. Currently visitors can see a collection of bats which is estimated at
2 million bats flying out of the cave while the swallows fly into the cave.
This phenomenon is clearly visible near the mouth area of “Simud Putih” cave.
The presence of other wildlife such
as orang- utans, “lotong merah”, Hornbills, apes and monkeys in/near the cave
is something familiar.
Bird lovers can also go there to
bird-watch on the provided trails.
Facilities
Gomantong Caves can now be reached
because of the paved road 35 km from Kota Kinabatangan town and is 110km from
the Sandakan town. There are no public transport services but visitors can rent
vehicles from Sandakan Town. There is a Visitor Centre at Gomantong Cave which
is equipped with meeting rooms, administrative offices, exhibition rooms,
prayer room and a canteen. There is also a public toilet, outdoor and indoor
"board walk" at “Simud Hitam” cave.
Entrance Fee
The entrance fee (as stated by the
Sabah Wildlife Department):
Local
RM5.00 (Adults)
RM2.00 (Students)
Non-Local
RM30.00
Visitors are only allowed to enter the limited designated areas of Gomantong Caves. Any visitors or researchers who wish to enter other areas in Gomantong Forest Reserve need to get permissions from the Forestry Department first.
Getting There
A 1½ hour bus ride leaves from Sandakan to Sukau for the 95km
trip. Fares are about RM17.00 each way. You can arrange your visit through
local tour operators or the Forestry Department. Check our Directory for
listings.
Address
Sabah Forestry Dept
Website : http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my
哥曼東岩洞（Gomantong
Caves）对那些喜欢寻古探幽和户外建行的游客来说是一个好去处。不过，前往此处的游客需要有一定的着装准备……以及心理上的准备。
哥曼东岩洞距山打根市区约95公里，约一个半小时车程。它是哥曼东山（Gomantong Hill）内的岩洞体系，也是京那巴当岸下游地带最大的石灰岩洞。此地位于沙巴公园哥曼东雨林保护区的中心地带，这一带生活着许多受保护的野生动物，如人猿（红毛猩猩）等。
值得一提的是，哥曼东岩洞被世界野生动物基金会（WWF）称作世界顶级可食用燕窝的生产管理地点，5个世纪以来生产着大量品质优良的洞燕，并成为贵重的贸易商品。据历史记载，历代中国皇帝享用的顶级贡燕就是产自此处。
哥曼东岩洞系统是由两个主要岩洞组成，欲前往90米高的顶部，最轻松的路径是取道“黑洞”（别担心，不会将人卷进去），也就是“Simud Hitam”，距离游客登记的进口只需5分钟步行路程。如果游客对体力和心理素质很有自信，可以取道“白洞”（Simud Putih），耗时至少半个小时，过程需要步行和攀爬燕窝洞。
哥曼东岩洞内有经过妥善维修的木板路，所以并不难行走。可是，由于燕子与蝙蝠粪便泛滥，路滑之余也特别容易沾到身上，皮肤性质容易敏感的游客必须注意。更令人震惊的是，岩洞内的路上或岩墙上有数量惊人的“小强”，曾有胆小的游客被此景吓哭呢！
据了解，这些洞穴受到野生动物局的严格管控，每年只能采燕两次。如果是遇上采燕季节，游客还可以看见本地采燕人使用传统的方法，即用藤梯、绳索和竹竿等简陋工具攀爬洞穴采燕，场面极为惊险。
每天傍晚，約有200萬只蝙蝠從洞中飛出覓食，此時金絲燕在經過一天的外出覓食後飛回洞穴，場面非常的壯觀。
开放时间：上午8时至下午6时。
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