BRL clinch ‘Big Year’ with sightings of 123 bird species
22 November 2024
KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) triumphed over 17 other teams to clinch the ‘Big Year’ title, achieving an impressive 123 bird species sightings during the 14th Bornean Bird Festival 2024.
Led by Director of Operations Abd Sail Jamaludin, the team comprised seasoned nature guides—AK Mohd Shahrin as the leader, along with Nevin Wolli and Sabinus Sadah—who were strong favorites from the outset.
In a new category introduced this year, the photo race, Nevin received special recognition in the wildlife photography contest for his captivating shot of a Bornean pygmy squirrel. Additionally, he secured the first runner-up position in the bird video contest with a rare capture of a Giant Pitta singing.
The success of the BRL team not only highlights their expertise but also showcases the rich biodiversity of Borneo’s rainforests, further solidifying their reputation as leaders in lowland birding and nature guiding.
BRL Chief Executive Officer Freddie Coleman credited the victory to rigorous on-the-job training, which includes monthly sessions with nature experts at the lodge.
The festival, held at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan, attracted bird enthusiasts from Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The bird race challenged participants to identify as many bird species as possible in the Sepilok rainforest using both sight and sound.
This festival serves as a vital platform for raising conservation awareness while promoting birding as a sustainable form of tourism.
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