Gomantong Caves

Receipt of Simud Hitam ("black cave " )

The Gomantong Caves are a highly branched system of caves in the north of Borneo, in the Malaysian state of Sabah, 30 kilometers south of Sandakan. They are the largest limestone formations of the lower Kinabatangan region. The caves due to the numerous bats living there and especially the swiftlets, swallow -like birds whose nests are the main ingredient of the so-called bird's nest soup, a delicacy of Chinese cuisine are known. In Sabah, the caves are among the most popular tourist attractions. The caves can be visited throughout the year.

The main part of the cave system is formed by two caves: the more accessible is Simud Hitam called ("black cave " ) and the larger, slightly above liegendere Simud Putih ( " White Cave "). The name is motivated by the typical in these caves nest type, in Simud Hitam are more nests of Schwarznestsalangane to find, in the nests of Simud Putih Weißnestsalangane are more common.

The number of nesting in the caves Salanganen is estimated at 1.5 million, the number of bats is approximately in the same order of magnitude. In addition, there are many insects, especially cockroaches, the benefit from the presence of birds and bats live.

The utilization of Salanganennester is regulated in the Gomantong Caves in order not to endanger the population of the species. The nests may be a few exceptions, only twice "harvested" per season, once at the beginning of the breeding season, right after the construction of the first nest, if possible prior to oviposition, also at the end when the boys have flown. This rule applies in the region as a model, but even in those controlled recycling a reduction in breeding success is determined.