Mt Kinabalu : wildlife in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Mount Kinabalu is one of the most biologically diverse mountains in Southeast Asia, with ecosystems ranging from lowland forests to alpine environments.

These observations were made in the mid-elevation mountain forests where the number of endemic species of animals and plants is highest.

Many of these species are regional or habitat endemics. For some of them, Mt Kinabalu range is their only home.

   Borneo black-banded squirrel (Callosciurus orestes)

   Whitehead’s broadbill (Calyptomena whiteheadi)

   Dark hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx bocki)

   Kinabalu birdwing (Troides andromache)

   Chestnut-hooded laughingthrush (Pterorhinus treacheri treacheri)

   Kinabalu tree shrew (Tupaia montana baluensis)

   Mountain serpent-eagle (Spilornis kinabaluensis)

   Kobayashi’s horned frog (Pelobatrachus kobayashii)

   Crimson-headed partridge (Haematortyx sanguiniceps)

   Trilobite beetle (Platerodrilus svetae)

Why this matters

Mt Kinabalu is the highest peak in South-East Asia and one of the world’s most biodiverse mountains. The protection of its forests has allowed many micro-endemic species to thrive and remain locally common with minimal disturbance from visitors.

Even with the protection from dedicated rangers, some of the species such as colorful birds and snakes are still captured by poachers for the wildlife trade and educating people about their conservation is crucial to reverse this trend.

This is a selection of a small number of species amongst hundreds that I observed and photographed in Kinabalu National Park during my expeditions spanning from 2022 to 2025.

 

Other species from Mt Kinabalu can be found by browsing my Education resources.

 

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