[narrator] The Kinabatangan, one of
the wildest river systems on the planet. Flowing through magical landscapes,
from steamy jungle highlands, through otherworldly floodplains,
to its ultimate destination, the vibrant Sulu Sea. Along its course,
the astonishing is commonplace. [birds squawk] This is home to the exquisite,
the bizarre... -and the rare.
-[elephant trumpets] A land in which ancient cultures coexist
with prehistoric predators. Where new species
are discovered almost daily. This is a wild frontier
that is changing fast. The fate of this mighty waterway
hangs in the balance. And those who champion its cause are striving to preserve
all that is unique... about the Amazon of the East. Flowing through the North Eastern tip
of Borneo, and stretching 560 kilometers,
from source to sea, the Kinabatangan River
is the lifeblood of Sabah, the land below the winds. Our story begins,
as does the river itself, in the misty heart of
Sabah's highland rainforests. A realm dominated by giants
and home to those uniquely adapted to live in their shadows
and in their branches. Here, traditional people are balanced
precariously between old and new worlds. The fragile equilibriums
of this wild frontier are threatened by turbulent times. At the spectacular Imbak Falls, the life-giving Kinabatangan River
is born. Canoeing up Imbak Canyon,
on his way to Imbak Falls, acclaimed wildlife photographer
Cede Prudente is about to embark
on the quest of a lifetime. In a never-before-attempted voyage, Cede is planning
to photographically document the varied web of life that depends upon
the Kinabatangan River from source to sea. I'm at Imbak Canyon,
the upper reach of the Kinabatangan. This is where I start my journey. I've been photographing wildlife
along the Kinabatangan River for about 20 years. As a wildlife photographer... [camera shutter clicks] it doesn't get much better than this. The variety of wildlife found here
is truly remarkable. Getting the right moment... -[camera shutter clicks]
-it is inspiring. [narrator] But Cede is driven by more
than just a passion for imagery. He's on a personal quest
to highlight the challenges facing this unique river system. [camera shutter clicks] One with which he shares
an intimate connection. [Cede] The Kinabatangan River
is a corridor of life... but the life it supports is under threat. Human encroachment,
pollution, over-exploitation, are threatening the natural world here. By documenting the varied
and unique life along the river, I hope to show the world
why it should be protected. [camera shutter clicks] [narrator] This is not a journey
Cede can do alone. To enlist the help of an old friend, he's heading downstream
to the nearby village of Imbak. A number of distinct indigenous tribes,
known in Borneo as the Orang Sungai, meaning people of the river,
depend on the Kinabatangan for their way of life. The remote village of Imbak
is the westernmost township along the Kinabatangan River. It is home to members of an ethnic group
known as the Dusun. For hundreds of years, the Dusun have
traveled along the course of the river... fishing and trading,
hunting and gathering. Even along the wildest river
in the world... they have a particularly
fearsome reputation. Historically, the Dusun were notorious
as headhunters. Although the practice died out
in the late 1800s, interestingly, there was a brief
resurgence in the 1940s. During the Second World War, the atrocities committed
by the Imperial Japanese Army permeated throughout the Pacific region. -Borneo was no exception.
-[soldiers shout] But the Dusun were ready
to exact their revenge. In 1945, when it became clear
that the Allies would retake Borneo, many Japanese soldiers fled
into the dense jungle, where they fought on
with suicidal determination, taking a heavy toll
on advancing Allied forces. To combat these guerrilla tactics, the British posted a bounty
on Japanese heads and the Dusun rose to the challenge, emerging with their trophies
from the jungle, to be paid per head
by an astonished Allied contingent. The practice itself
has long since died out. But many traditions remain
in the background of daily life. Logging and agriculture are now
the primary industries in the area, employing the majority of villagers. The modern world has come to Imbak. Of course, with it comes change. While the arrival of roads,
of power, of industry has generated new forms of income
for local villagers, like Mislan, the impact upon his traditional ways
is keenly felt. We are hunting less now because we have
more and more palm oil plantation. So that's what we do
to supplement our livelihoods. [narrator] While supermarket goods
are available in village stores, many are beyond Mislan's means. So, as with his forebears, he relies
upon his surroundings for sustenance. Other sources of income are coming
from the river where we fish and in the orchards where we farm. [narrator] Traditional hunter-gathering
is also practiced to supplement family larders. [otters squeak] And because men like Mislan and his uncle,
Senari, a village elder, think it is important to balance the
benefits of the modern world with the richness of their culture. Medicinal plants are harder to find
than edible ones, but they are there
for those who know where to look. There used to be lots of medicines
in these jungles. But nowadays, in this time of logging
and planting palm oil, these medicines have decreased. [narrator] For centuries, the animals
and plants of the surrounding jungle provided all that the Dousen
ever needed. The secrets of these riverine forests
are deeply rooted in their culture. Senari takes the opportunity
to pass on ancestral knowledge before this too disappears. [Senari] This medicine here,
these are Kukup leaves. So, the way to identify it, is this... It's smooth, and a little soft, and on its underside it's white. This one is for kids
to decrease their temperature when they have a fever. [narrator] One day soon, Mislan will need
to pass this knowledge on to his children. But now he must use the tracking skills
that he learned when he was a child. It's time to hunt. The reason why we hunt in the jungle is because we cannot afford
to buy things outside. Things sold from the city,
like beef, chicken. There are lots of paths here,
for mousedeer, Sambar deer... This is a great place for us
to set a snare. [narrator] These intricate trapping
techniques have been passed
down through generations. And both men are keen for these traditions
to be kept alive. These snares are certainly important
for the younger generation of today. So we can teach the kids
how to set snares, so that the traditions won't disappear,
until the end of time. [narrator] Once a snare has been set,
patience is the name of the game. It may take two or three days
before an animal springs the trap. [Mislan] Let's go! [narrator] These highland rainforests
have seen the evolutionary rise of a number of unique species. Not the least, one of the tallest and most
endangered rainforest trees in the world, the dipterocarps. Perhaps nothing illustrates the fecundity
of the place so well as this tree. It has been recorded that
on one single dipterocarp tree, up to one thousand different species
of insect can live and thrive. But there is another emergent tree
in the forest that dwarfs even these towering giants. Mislan and Senari seek out one such tree, a tree that their family has visited
for generations, the mighty mengaris. It towers more than 80 meters
above the forest floor, and when conditions are just right,
it too attracts insects: honey bees. [Mislan] There are only certain seasons
we can take the honey. If the trees here flower heavily
during its time, then there will certainly be honey. If not, then there won't be any
for two or three years or so. [narrator] Honey bees often choose
to colonize mengaris trees because their slippery trunks
and high-branching canopies afford protection for the hive
from would-be predators. But mengaris only flower every few years, so the rare presence of a hive
is both fortuitous and short-lived. Mislan and Senari are in luck. Wild honey is a valuable commodity
in the village but gathering honey in the wild
is fraught with danger. Not only is the hive 40 meters overhead, but if the bees attack in a swarm,
the results could be fatal. Using the remaining daylight, Mislan and Senari quickly prepare
a series of ladder rungs, which the younger man
will use to climb the tree. They're waiting for it to get dark,
when the worker bees become less active. Any light source, even moonlight,
could precipitate an attack. If the bees attack, we're forced
to bear with it while descending slowly, until we reach the ground. [narrator] As night falls,
Mislan nails the rungs into the tree... securing them carefully with twine
and climbing as he goes. It's tricky work
and there are no safety nets. While Senari sets a fire below the tree
to draw any angry bees away from Mislan, his nephew arms himself
with a burning brazier to clear the hive. As the sparks fall to the ground, the awakened and enraged bees take off
in pursuit of the embers. Mislan has to work fast. [bees buzz] [narrator] His efforts meet with success. He returns safely
with a bucket full of prized honeycomb. [Mislan] When I was up there,
none of them stung. But as I was coming down the ladder,
there were two of them, two that stung. [narrator] The pain is well worth it. Back in the village,
the honey will fetch 50 dollars a liter. Sadly as the forest continues to dwindle, Mislan and Senari are unsure whether the tree that their family
has relied upon for generations will survive to see another season. Life here is changing. In the face of rapid development, the cultural values and traditional ways
of life of these proud Dousen people are being challenged. But while their future is unclear, Mislan and Senari are determined to preserve precious elements
of their cultural heritage. It's a determination shared
by photographer Cede Prudente. All too aware of the changing face
of the region, Cede has made his way to Imbak Village and has met up with old friend
and Orang Sungai river guide, Rizal. Hailing from downstream... Cede! ...Rizal has lived his life by
and on the Kinabatangan. His keen eye and intimate knowledge of
this mighty waterway will be invaluable, as he joins Cede's quest to reveal
the extraordinary abundance of life that depends on this,
the wildest of rivers. The island of Borneo makes up
a mere one percent of the global land mass and yet it supports 6 percent
of the world's biodiversity. A thriving hotbed of evolution,
its capacity to nurture life is matched only by the mighty
Amazon river basin of South America. Borneo's isolation has created
unique selective pressures. And, just as importantly, the island sits
at the epicenter of the monsoon region. Situated between the continents of Asia
and Australia, it is drenched by monsoon rains
not once, but twice a year. [camera clicks] And it is the unique species that have adapted to life
amongst these ancient giants that have drawn Cede and Rizal
to these highland forests. [Rizal] Look, Cede. Colugo. There. There is a Colugo, a flying lemur. It's now resting,
well camouflaged in the tree trunk. This is one of the largest gliders
in the world. They're one of the fascinating,
weird creatures of our forest. [narrator] Usually nocturnal, with
saucer-life eyes for seeing in the dark, colugos are mammals
uniquely adapted for flight. Thanks to a membrane of skin
that stretches from limb-tip to limb-tip making a perfectly rectangular aerofoil,
colugos can glide 70 meters. The colugo is difficult to find. Getting a shot of it gliding is...
must be in the book. [camera clicks] [narrator] Cede and Rizal are fortunate
to have trekked their way to the right place at the right time. [whispers] Yes. I got one shot. I just needed one shot. [camera clicks] [narrator] Before they return
to their boat, Rizal's instincts tell him
that another intriguing species might be resident in the area. It's a Draco lizard. Just 20 centimeters in length, the Draco spends the majority of its life
high in the treetops. This male extends a bright yellow dewlap,
a flap of skin under its chin. He's advertising for a mate. As a photographer, what I'm looking for
the Draco, one is the neck flap, when a male flapping its neck
to attract female. [camera clicks] [narrator] Like many other species
of lizard, the Draco is an adept climber. But one truly remarkable adaptation
sets it apart from all others. It can fly. It can spread out folds of skin attached
to its movable ribs to form wings... allowing it to glide
for up to eight meters. [Cede] When they glide, they have that
beautiful membrane, backlit from the sun. That's the shot that I would like to have. [camera clicks rapidly] [camera clicks] [Cede] That's the one. Nicely backlit, gliding,
we can see the membrane. And, it's one for the book. [narrator] Having documented some of the
unique species to be found amongst the towering
dipterocarp trees, Cede and Rizal return to the river
to continue their downstream journey. As the Kinabatangan descends
from the highlands, the topography and vegetation
begin to change. The towering dipterocarp trees give way
to lower fruit bearing canopies and it is here in the foothills
that larger mammals begin to appear. [animal roars] [narrator] The Bornean pygmy elephant has
only recently been confirmed as a distinct species of elephant. The knowledge that it is distinct,
greatly increases its importance. Primarily located
along the Kinabatangan River, less than 1,500 of the species survive
in Borneo, making it the world's
most endangered elephant. The pygmy tusker depends on the river
for hydration and food, feasting on the tall grasses
that line the banks. The mineral salts found within the silt
are also important. A mineral bath like this one,
removes parasites and nourishes the skin. [narrator] Although accustomed
to their presence along the river, Cede remains in awe
of these majestic animals and is always keen to capture a new image. The elephants in the Kinabatangan
migrate up and down the river. So they reaches
from the coastline of Kinabatangan, right up the upper stream of Imbak canyon, The river is their life,
just like the people. They're part and parcel
of this whole ecosystem. The loss of habitat is their main threat. Without the habitat,
we will lose the species. [camera clicks] [narrator] As with the people in the area,
the coming of the modern world is having a marked impact
upon the elephants' lifestyle. In the name of development,
the jungles of Borneo are being cleared at an unprecedented rate. The island has already lost
50 percent of its rainforest. What remains is becoming
increasingly patchy. A phenomenon
known as forest fragmentation is one of the greatest threats
to biodiversity in Borneo. One effect of fragmentation is that it
forces elephants to cross developed land in order to reach other forested areas. It forces them close to the villages. And this brings the Bornean pygmy elephant
into conflict with the local people
and plantation workers. [elephant trumpets] To protect their crops,
villagers try to scare the elephants away. Confronting them with burning tires and deafening sound waves
produced by homemade cannon fire. It is a dangerous conflict that each year injures and kills
both elephants and humans. To meet the challenge, the regional wildlife department has
established the Wildlife Rescue Unit, a specialized team
made up of rangers and veterinarians, which manages an elephant sanctuary to care for elephants
caught up in the conflict. For Wildlife Rescue Unit
senior ranger, JB, looking after wild elephants
is a lifelong vocation. For me, elephants are amongst one of the most special of all animals. And that's why I have been working
with them for over 30 years. In our role
within the Wildlife Rescue Unit, when a serious case occurs,
our duty is to resolve the problem by catching and relocating the elephant to another area so that it won't disturb
the village area or the plantations. [narrator] Elephants are highly
intelligent creatures and quick to learn. Rapidly deciphering scare tactics employed
by farmers as relatively harmless, the elephants occasionally
respond aggressively. In these situations,
conflict easily escalates. [JB] One morning, in Gembarum Village,
a husband and wife were walking to work where they came across this elephant
and an accident occurred. This elephant charged the wife,
then the husband, and then the elephant ran away. Luckily, they only had some of their skin
peeled off. Nothing was broken. After the incident,
the entire village felt traumatized. [narrator] For the safety of all,
the bull was transferred to the sanctuary. If we allowed elephants
to get into the plantations sometimes people would shoot
and kill them. [narrator] While JB is tasked
with smoothing over conflict between villagers and elephants... [JB] Good boy. [narrator] it is wildlife veterinarian
Dr. Laura's job to tend to any animal
caught up in the fray. Before I went to the sanctuary
I never met an elephant before. The day when I see elephant,
I know this is majestic animal. So I was like, this is something that
I'm going to do for the rest of my life. [narrator] This is Pria,
a five-year-old baby pygmy elephant and Dr. Laura's latest charge. Accidentally caught in a snare
intended for smaller game, Pria received a nasty laceration
to his ankle. Left unattended, infection would quickly
have claimed Pria's life. With the aim of repatriating
the young bull back to the forest, Dr. Laura is charged
with nursing Pria back to health. It's the beginning of a lifelong
relationship. [Laura] Usually the bull elephant
they will live up to 50 to 60 years old in the wild, So, at the age of five, we might bump
into each other again in the future. Well, we never know.
But hopefully no. [laughs] [narrator] The Wildlife Rescue Unit
receives a call from a nearby village. A herd of elephants has destroyed
a harvest of crops and JB assembles a team to investigate. [JB] How are you? Ever since the arrival of the elephants to Gembarum Village we have been living in fear. [narrator] Although called pygmy elephants
they are still quite large enough and more than capable of injuring
or even killing a human if confronted. As we can see,
it's close to the housing area, here. So it's quite dangerous for the residents, and might pose a threat
to their lives as well. I have no other work except to rely on
the crops that I have planted. It's the source of our food
and the source of our income. [JB] They peeled this bark here and ate the coconut's pith and shoots, because this is one of the things
that elephants really like that cannot be found in the jungle. [narrator] Frustrating as it is
to lose food and income, the farmers understand
that the elephants are hungry because their natural food sources
are being depleted. It is now up to JB and his team to track
the herd and neutralize the danger before an elephant or person gets hurt. This herd of elephants
would usually emerge at dusk from areas close to the jungle and they would then gradually make
their way into the villages late at night. Okay, I think this is the new track.
Here. [narrator] Clear signs
that elephants are in the area, but, alongside the elephant tracks,
JB makes a disturbing discovery. [JB] Ok, these are dog tracks, around about six of them. Usually when dogs come
to forest reserve areas such as this, they'd hunt wild pigs
and sometimes fight with elephants. [narrator] It's an unexpected problem and one that makes the team's task
all the more dangerous. The feral dogs have chased the elephants
deep into the forest and it's unlikely they will come back
to the road. [excited chatter] [narrator] But JB and his crew get lucky. Seizing the chance encounter,
the team prepares its equipment. They must hurry, before the herd moves
further into the jungle. The plan is to tranquilize
the dominant male with a dart so they can capture him safely. After fitting him
with a satellite tracking collar, the team will relocate the bull to a
forest reserve away from the villages. The rest of the herd will usually follow
wherever the dominant male goes. There's a large bull elephant, it means that we'll have to
keep our distance because it's dangerous
as male elephants are more aggressive. [narrator] Although it will soon be dark, the team has no choice
but to make its move. Conscious of the potential side effects
of the tranquilizer, JB uses the minimum dose required
to sedate the bull. It can take anything up to half an hour
for the short-lived drug to take effect, so the team needs to stay close. Sunset further complicates the task. [Laura] It's very difficult to track the
elephant that we darted at night, especially if we are not familiar
with the terrain. Especially when other member of the group
tried to protect this particular elephant that already darted. [narrator] And there are other hazards
lurking in the dark. [dogs bark] [telephone rings] Oh... no wonder.
There's a pack of dogs across the river. [narrator] There is a danger that the wild
dogs could cause the elephants to rampage, trapping the team between the angry herd
and the river. Assessing the new threat,
JB makes the decision to press on. They catch up with the bull
as the tranquilizer takes effect. [thud] They are now locked
in a race against the clock. [Laura] So after the elephant sleep, we chain all four limbs
to make sure that he's fully secured. [narrator] But as JB prepares
to put the satellite tracking collar on, he gets a nasty shock. [shouting and chattering] The dose has not been sufficient
to properly tranquilize the bull. [elephant grunts] [Laura] Because the elephant is already
awake so nothing much we can do. We cannot do measurements.
We cannot do the collaring. Anything else we want to do maybe we wait
for another day, not tonight. -[elephant grunts]
-[narrator] To be on the safe side, Dr. Laura decides to reverse the effects
of the sedative with an antidote. [clicks tongue] The team must now take care
of the elephant for 48 hours, after which it will be safe
to tranquilize him again and put on the collar. This satellite collar,
when fixed on the elephant, will give us exact point where
the elephant are and this information can be used to study
their home region, also the movement of the elephants' herd. [narrator] This time the tranquilizer
takes full effect... allowing the team to safely carry out
tests and measurements. But Dr. Laura makes
a quite shocking discovery. It's a large marble that has been used
as a projectile shot from a homemade gun. With his wounds tended
and measurements completed, the bull can be woken up
for the last part of his journey. [Laura] By doing the translocation we're
not only going to protect the people in the village
but also protect the elephant group. [narrator] When it comes to protecting
these endangered elephants, Dr. Laura's views are very clear. [Laura] They play a very important role
in maintaining our ecosystem and we are damaging their habitat. So who else should be responsible
to take care of them other than the human race itself? [narrator] In the nearby forest reserve,
the bull is finally out of danger. The rest of the herd will follow him
out of harm's way... for the moment. But in an ever-dwindling forest frontier, it is a small victory
for the Wildlife Rescue Unit, the critically endangered Bornean
pygmy elephant and the local villagers. As the sun sets, many species are drawn to the river
to drink, roost and hunt. The coming of the darkness also
sees a changing of the guard. Nocturnal animals emerge
to commence their activities. But before the night can take a grip, there is that half world
between light and dark. And here too, the Kinabatangan River
has its extraordinary species... if you can find them. Very little is known
about the Sundra clouded leopard, named for the large,
cloud-like spots on its body, The impact of logging has led to this
predator being classed as vulnerable, and, as such,
it is rarely seen in the wild. This rare footage of the clouded leopard
illustrates an ongoing battle between this elusive predator
and proboscis monkeys that has occurred along the banks
of the Kinabatangan for generations. But, as adept as this leopard is
in the canopy, there is always someone better. Tonight, he'll have to look elsewhere
for a meal. Also tonight,
the hunter has become the hunted. Cede Prudente is seeking out
this elusive predator, an animal that has really
captured his imagination. Let's go there. [Cede] The Bornean colored leopard
is elusive to very charismatic. They're one of the largest cat in Borneo
and it's highly threatened. I've got three photographs of different
individuals in the past 20 years so it's pretty tough
to get a photo of them. [narrator] As difficult
as getting a shot may be, Cede is motivated
by more than artistic considerations. He sees it as the most seductive image, one that will win people over
to the cause of the Kinabatangan. [Cede] It is important to get a photograph
of Bornean colored leopard in this book. They could be a pin-up species
of conservation in Borneo. [narrator] Now cloaked in darkness, floating along the river
becomes an other-worldly experience. But Cede and Rizal are well versed
in navigating these dark waters. [Cede] What we're doing now
is really cruising and hoping to see their eyes shine. The eye shine is one of the indicators that nocturnal animals are alive,
they're active. So once we see that eye shine,
we'll stop and take some photos. The best thing about shooting at night
is you see animals that you don't normally see at day time. [camera clicks] Once the sun sets, it's different world. [indistinct] [camera clicks] -Okay, let's find some cats.
-Yes, let's go. [narrator] His quarry eluding him, Cede decides to try his luck
along the banks of the river. It's not a decision taken lightly. The jungle is dangerous enough by day, but trekking through at night
is even riskier. Along with large carnivorous predators, there are all kinds of creepy-crawlies
to worry about. [Cede] Oh snake, snake, snake.
It's a python. This is reticulated python. He's probably looking for prey,
squirrels, sleeping birds. [narrator] Growing up to 11 meters
in length, the reticulated python is the world's
longest snake, besting even the notorious anaconda,
of Amazon fame. Capable of devouring
an adult bearded pig whole, it's one of the few snakes
reputed to have preyed on humans. [camera clicks] The deeper into the jungle they travel, the more dangerous
the creepy-crawlies become. [Cede] This is a scutigera. It's a family of centipede. It's poisonous and it hunts
for small spiders and insects. [narrator] Administering potent venom
through modified legs, these formidable nocturnal ambush
predators are capable of simultaneously subduing
multiple prey. [camera clicks] When Cede and Rizal
finally do find a large predator, it has eight legs, not four. They happen across a giant orb spider at the precise moment an unwitting moth
becomes ensnared within its huge web. [Cede] What a moment.
The right place at the right time. Spider is grabbing moth
and it's happening in front of my eyes. That's a shot. [camera clicks] [narrator] Cloaked in darkness, the jungle is unwilling to give up
any further mysteries. Cede and Rizal decide to call it a night
and return to their boat. But they have not been long in the water, when Cede's attention is drawn
to something on the riverbank. I saw some eye shine. It's still there. It's feeding on something, I'm not sure. Slowly, slowly, there, there, there. [narrator] There is a large spotted cat
in the trees. It's quite tough to get some shot. -Okay.
-[camera clicks] I'm just going to wait
until he moves to an open space. Still there, still there. Wait till he walk. [narrator] It's a civet cat,
a shy carnivore native to the area. [camera clicks] Tonight,
the darkness held on to its secrets. Cede and Rizal meet the dawn without
the coveted shot of a clouded leopard. But, disappointing as that is,
it's a big jungle. And elusive as they are, clouded leopards
are known to roam over the entire region. It's time to leave the mountains
of the upper Kinabatangan and head down
towards the lowland floodplains. Along its course towards the Sulu Sea, the mighty river snakes through forests
that hide orangutans and hornbills. It passes caves that could hold
secrets of value to medical science. And it flows through the domain
of a creature both fearsome and gentle, the rare and vulnerable Bornean sun bear. This is a journey only possible
along the Amazon of the East. Flowing through Sabah,
the easternmost state of Malaysian Borneo, the Kinabatangan River
has been dubbed a "mini Amazon." It's a title
that fits the river very well. Only the Amazon itself
can rival the Kinabatangan for the abundance of life
that it supports. As the river flows out of the highlands, the towering dipterocarp trees give way
to lower, fruit-bearing canopies, shading the Kinabatangan,
as it snakes its way through lowland floodplains
that hide orangutans and hornbills. As it passes caves that could hold
secrets of value to medical science. As it flows through the domain
of creatures both rare and vulnerable. These life-giving floodplains
are known locally as Sabah's "Gift to the Earth." From the high country of its source, the Kinabatangan begins its long journey
towards the Sulu Sea. It will pass through many landscapes, first entering
ancient lowland floodplains. This is a vast area. A sprawling landscape in which the river has carved out
its course over many millennia. As it travels downstream, the Kinabatangan
continually shapes and reshapes its banks. In the wet season, oxbow lakes are formed as the river breaks the banks,
in search of a different, shorter course. Enriched by minerals and nutrients
deposited in the seasonal floods, this natural aquifer is thought to contain perhaps a thousand times
as many species as the river itself. Only the vast Amazon river basin
of South America rivals the capacity of these floodplains to support a staggering diversity of life. One spectacular example of species
to be found here is the majestic Sundra clouded leopard. Due to loss of habitat, its naturally
shy disposition, and excellent camouflage, these cats are rarely seen. A fact not lost on wildlife photographer
Cede Prudente, who has encountered
this elusive predator in the wild on only three occasions
over his 20-year career. Now on a quest to highlight the challenges
facing the Kinabatangan River and its wild inhabitants, Cede plans to publish a new book,
documenting the unique, rare, and extraordinary wildlife to be found
along this life-giving waterway. To maximize his chances of capturing
a shot of the clouded leopard, Cede has enlisted the help of
WildCRU research assistant Itoi, part of a team that has been tracking
these shy creatures for some time. Taking photos of a clouded leopard
is quite challenging 'cause they move at night,
they sleep at daytime. They're very elusive, hard to see. It's one of the most challenging subjects
for a wildlife photographer. The research team of the clouded leopard
put a collar on an individual to track their movements
on this Kinabatangan River. So it's an important aspect
of understanding -the movement of the clouded leopard.
-[bird calls] [narrator] To enable the research team
to place a tracking collar on a clouded leopard,
they must first capture one. Itoi's daily routine involves
checking the traps for live specimens. By accompanying Itoi,
Cede hopes to learn a little more about the behavior
of these elusive felines. [whispers] We need to move slowly, -otherwise the, um, animals get nervous.
-Okay. [narrator] There is something large
in the trap. We got an orangutan in the cage. [Cede] Wow. Yeah, I can see the red fur. I think it's a male one. Orangutan. I'm so glad to see a big male orangutan.
He is a dominant male. As far as I know,
once they grow their flange, their cheek pad,
they're dominant in their area. You know, so only dominant male
has a cheek pad. [narrator] Exciting as it is, trapping
a wild, flanged male orangutan in the cage presents an issue. One ape of this size
has the strength of up to eight men. [Cede] Look at that,
look at those fingers. He's really trying to open the cage. [narrator] But releasing this huge primate
is incredibly dangerous. The crew must do this
without harming the orangutan, or getting badly hurt themselves. Itoi takes charge. I think the best way is you go back
and then hide in the trees. I'm gonna open the door. [narrator] There is no way of knowing
what the great ape will do when the cage is opened. If it charges Cede or Itoi,
it could be fatal. [Cede] It's quite a daring job
to open this gate. I'm not sure what's going to happen... whether he goes that way or this way,
so... We're right here on the cliff,
which is quite a risky situation. But sometimes you got to take a risk
to get a good shot. [narrator] Itoi tries to maneuver
a large tree branch through the top of the cage. [Cede] Itoi is trying to avoid eye contact
with the big male orangutan so he's putting his face backwards
against the orangutan. [narrator] Direct eye contact would be
a challenge to the big male's dominance. Although Itoi is averting his eyes, every second in close proximity
adds to the danger. [Cede] There you go. [whispers] He's up in the tree.
Right up in the tree. [camera shutter clicks] -[Itoi] Oh, my god.
-[Cede] Why? What happened? You look a bit nervous. Yeah, because we don't know how strong
this orangutan is because it's a big male. -That's why I'm nervous.
-[laughs] I can see that. You're, like, shivering. -Itoi, that was great to see an orangutan.
-Yeah. But I would like to see a clouded leopard. -Well, let's see the camera trap.
-Let's go. [narrator] In addition to
information provided by radio collars that track the leopard's movements,
these motion sensor cameras offer the WildCRU research team
an invaluable insight into the big cat's natural behaviors. Cede is curious to see what
has been captured by the remote lens. How many photographs of clouded leopards
have you taken with this? More than twenty photos. Wow, that's a lot of photographs. I'm really keen
to see what's on that camera. -Let's go.
-Yeah, let's go. [narrator] In order to view the images, Cede follows Itoi to the research team's
nearby base camp. On checking the camera card, Itoi and Cede discover that many kinds of
game have triggered the motion sensor... macaques... a great argus pheasant... and of course the male orangutan, who entered the trap
just 15 minutes before their arrival. [Cede] Checking the camera trap
was exciting. Although it's not
the animal that I wanted, seeing a big male orangutan
in this forest, it's pretty amazing. [narrator] But it's what
the camera's remote sensor had captured early in the day
that provides the biggest surprise. Boo. There's something there. -That's a clouded leopard.
-[Itoi] It's a... Yeah. -Yeah, yeah, that's a clouded leopard.
-Wow. -[Itoi] Came from down the hill...
-[Cede] Uh-huh. [Itoi] ...not along the ridge. Amazing. [Itoi] Almost the whole body
is inside the trap. [Cede] It turned back
and come out from the side. [Itoi] Yeah, it turned back. That's what I want. -That's what I want to photograph, Itoi.
-[Itoi] Yeah. [narrator] Although the coveted shot
once again evades Cede, he remains philosophical. [Cede] It's frustrating not to get
the shot of the clouded leopard, but that's how it is.
Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don’t. [narrator] But he's not leaving
this experience empty-handed. He's been afforded a privileged glimpse
of the secret life of a majestic predator. I'm impressed and I think the camera trap
is a good tool... to set up and get a photograph
of this elusive animal. As a wildlife photographer
and conservationist, I'm happy to know that the clouded leopard
is out there in the forest. [camera shutter clicks] [narrator] The incredible wildlife
that thrives along this river has, for centuries,
attracted traders from far and wide. Meaning "Chinese River"
in the local language, the Kinabatangan was named
for the Chinese merchants who would ply these waters
in search of rare trade items. In order to satisfy the exotic tastes of
China's emperors and wealthy mandarins, swift's nests, hornbill casques
and elephant ivory were, for centuries, plundered
from these floodplains. Today,
Sabah's wildlife is protected by law and these practices no longer exist. At least, not legally. Unfortunately, fueled by
a continued demand for exotic commodities, the lucrative black market trade
has had a devastating impact on local wildlife populations
in recent years. None have suffered more
than the Sumatran rhinoceros. In 2008, due to the profound effects
of habitat loss and illegal poaching, the local government estimated
that there were around fifty specimens of the rhinoceros left
in the wild. Only five years later, that figure
had to be revised to as few as ten. By the beginning of 2015,
the government was forced to concede that the Sumatran rhinoceros, which
had lived in Sabah for 35 million years, was now locally extinct. And this disturbing trend continues. Other rare species
are faced with similar fates. The future of one such secretive creature
currently hangs in the balance. A creature both fearsome and gentle, as comfortable high in trees
as it is on the ground. This is the Bornean sun bear,
the smallest member of the bear family. Its sharp claws make short work
of fallen logs, rooting out termites,
which are then easy prey for the sun bear's
extraordinarily long tongue. At 25 centimeters it is one of
the longest of all mammalian tongues. And that tongue is helpful
for getting into beehives, even those 40 meters up in the canopy, which is why the sun bear is more
commonly known as the honey bear. [buzzing] Its sharp claws are good
for more than just foraging. Sun bears are exceptional climbers. So agile that they move
from tree to tree, more like apes. Although fond of water, sun bears
are not recognized as strong swimmers, which is why the Kinabatangan often acts
as a natural barrier, limiting the bear's home range. As land is developed along the river, this usually shy and retiring species is
increasingly confronted by human beings. It's not an easy coexistence,
and with it comes peril. Illegal poaching
and loss of forest habitat have led to the Bornean sun bear
being classed as vulnerable and populations of this magnificent bear
are declining rapidly in the wild. This is Dr. Siew Te Wong,
known to the locals as "the Bear Man." He prefers to simply be called Wong. In the battle to protect sun bears,
Wong is warrior number one. A wildlife biologist
and foremost authority on sun bears, Dr. Wong is the founder of the
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Under the big umbrella of conservations, I want to conserve sun bear
through a holistic approach that incorporates improve animal welfare,
education, research and rehabilitation. [narrator] Wong and his team
are dedicated to rescuing, healing and then repatriating sun bears
into the wild. And just like everywhere else,
an average day begins with breakfast. [Wong] The center right now has 35 bears. The bears is just waking up and then they're waiting
for their food, they're hungry, so we need to feed them well
four times a day. Each day, we need to feed the bears close to 150 kilos
of all different kind of fruits and food. [narrator] Every sun bear at the center has a story of rescue
from traumatic circumstances. [Wong] This is Mary.
I take care of Mary since day one and then we develop a very strong trust. Mary was captured at a very young age. When Mary came to our center,
I immediately noticed that something wrong with her because her face and her body
does not match. She get a relatively mature-looking face,
but with a very short body. [narrator] Mary's previous owner
hadn't fed the baby bear any milk. Because of her malnourished youth, Mary will never be big enough
to survive in the wild. So I do have a very special connection
with Mary. All of the bears I take care of,
I do not dare to touch them, except Mary. I know that Mary won't harm me. Mary's just like my daughter. I mean, there's no different. I have two daughters and all of these
are my daughters, are my daughter inside. [cameraman laughs] [narrator] After breakfast,
the bears are released into the center's 42 square kilometers
of protected rainforest, where they can spend the day foraging
and climbing to their heart's content. [Wong] We are very lucky
to have this piece of forested land as our forest enclosures, with
dense vegetations, with very tall trees. I think this place is very important because sun bears
is a very rare and elusive animals that live in the deep jungle of Borneo. Without these facilities, people would not get the chance
to see bears in the natural environment. [camera clicking] [Wong] The tourists
are very important for us. We generate revenues from ticketing,
so those visitors support our center. We are educating those visitors
about sun bears, about the rainforest, about the importance of the bears. [narrator] Unfortunately,
the bears in this enclosure can never go back to the wild. They're either too old, too traumatized,
or too acclimatized to human contact. But with the right kind of care,
newly rescued creatures, like baby Carla, have a great chance of being set free. [Wong] Carla is a six-month-old female
sun bear cub that we walk her every day
in this forest environment, so that she can pick up her instinct. It is very important
to give the opportunity for the bear cubs to smell the forest,
to look for potential natural resource, to climb the tree... so that they can get their connection
between the natural environment, the forest, the natural food items, and all the exercise that they need
to climb trees, make nests, and so on. [narrator] When Carla was rescued
from the illegal pet trade, she weighed a mere three kilograms. But under the care of Reintroduction
and Research Officer Linn May, Carla has filled out
to a healthy twelve-and-a-half kilos. So I am a surrogate mother.
I will bring Carla to the forest. She will learn how to become a wild bear. Foraging the natural foods
is very important for a sun bear cub. So, at first she learns foraging. Earthworms, beetles,
especially her favorite, termites. Working with bear cubs is one
of the wonderful jobs in the world. [narrator] As a solitary species, learning to be self-sufficient
is fundamental for sun bears. While the carer bond is strong,
for Carla to take the next step, she must be weaned away from her carer. I think I'm not sad,
I will be happy... [laughs] because she is moving onto the next step.
Yeah, the next step. [narrator] Helping sun bears to take
that next step is Wong's ultimate goal. [Wong] Sun bears is a forest-dependent
species. They live in the forest. They cannot live in plantation.
They cannot live in urban area. They have to live in the forest. So, this is pen B. Pen B right now
have no access to the visitors. Visitors don't see the bears here,
and the bears here don't see visitors. [narrator] Deliberately isolated
from the rest of the center, pen B holds the bears
that are closest to being released. There are some criterias that we use
for selecting bears to be released. First of all, they have to be able
to forage in the wild. Second, they have to be able to climb
the tree, build a nest on top of the tree, and the third skill that they have to have
is to shy away from people. Those bears that, that do not fear people,
these are not release candidates. So in general, these are still wild bears, so we have to be very, very careful
with this bear, respect this bear. With their sharp claws
and very strong teeth, they can do a lot of damages,
including killing a people. [bears growl] [narrator] And there are other
pressing reasons to minimize the bear's contact
with humans. Yeah, although it is illegal,
the whole body have commercial value. Meat for food, claws, canines, for items
we use in traditional ceremonies, gall bladder
as traditional Asian medicines. Because of their cuteness,
people keep bear cubs as pets. These bears, right now, are subjected to
all the threats that a wild sun bear may face. That means that I cannot protect them. I cannot care for them anymore,
so they are all on their own. So "good luck" is the only thing
that I can say. [narrator] It's always a triumph
when rehabilitated sun bears can be released and these two
young females have made the grade. [Wong] Both of them
were brought up together. When they first come here,
they were both cubs. We often see them inseparable. Yeah, if we release two female bears that would grow up together,
they at least have companionship. If there's other bears come and bully
them, they can defend for themselves. The feeling of releasing our bears
is bittersweet. I'm happy, but at the same time
I'm also very sad. I'm happy that I have managed to,
you know, give them a second chance to live
in the wild, where they are supposed to. This bear is like my baby. I raised them and now
I gotta say goodbye to them. It's kind of sad. [narrator] And for Papa Bear, as Wong
is affectionately known to his staff, the bittersweet moment
of setting his sun bears free is the real measure of his life's work. I have been working on sun bear
and studying sun bear for so long... I feel like I have the responsibility
to help them as much as possible. Turning a blind eye
is not an option for me because I know the issue,
I have to work on them. [narrator] While the threats
to wild sun bears remain serious, the work of
dedicated conservationists like Wong is bringing new hope for
the survival of these beautiful creatures and of their remaining forest habitat. Navigating their way
through the meanders of the floodplains, Cede and Rizal continue their voyage. The warm glow of the late afternoon sun
finds Cede and Rizal gliding silently through calm waters, always on the lookout
for hard-to-get shots and never shy of taking
the path less traveled. The surrounding hills
conceal wonders and mysteries rarely witnessed by human eyes. Did you see that? [camera shutter clicks] We left the Kinabatangan,
to this small side tributary, as I know
this is one of the hot spots for wildlife. It is great for photography
'cause the trees are a lot shorter and there's good visibility,
there's good distance to shoot the animals and the variety from birds,
mammals, reptiles. It's just abundant. [camera shutter clicks] [narrator] The small boat feels
like part of the environment, gliding along quietly,
without disturbing the wildlife. The Oriental darter
suns itself confidently. Darters don't have waterproof wings, so they need to dry off,
before they can dive and fish again. [camera shutter clicks] It's a feast for the camera,
but Cede's instincts tell him if he wants bigger game,
he has to get out of the boat. This tributary is great for wildlife, but somehow,
I have to go in the forest, on land, and follow animals
like orangutans, gibbons, and hornbills to get some good shots. [narrator] Dusk heralds an awe-inspiring
natural event, but to reach it, Cede and Rizal must race
the setting of the sun. Of course, for a wildlife photographer
on the Kinabatangan, there's always a welcome distraction. [Cede] It's a red leaf monkey up there. One of those endemic to Borneo. Usually they're very shy, very elusive. [camera shutter clicks] [narrator] Much like a cow,
red leaf monkeys have chambered stomachs to break down their fibrous diet
of leaves and seeds. These charismatic primates
avoid the sweet fruits abundant on the Kinabatangan floodplains, because the sugars they contain
disrupt the delicate balance of their complex digestive system. [camera shutter clicks] Cede's goal is at the summit
of these hills and daylight is slipping away. Still, he manages to find time for one of
the great apes, the orangutan. [camera shutter clicks] It's a hard climb, but it's well worth it 'cause there's a family of orangutans
up there. And it's great to see a mother and baby
feeding on a fig... and it looks like they are bonding now, and they're traveling together, and it's a fascinating feeling
to see a wild one. [narrator] It has been
quite a successful afternoon and as evening draws closer,
Cede wants to keep moving. What I would really like to see
is somewhere up there, in the mountains. [narrator] In these remote mountains,
sunset brings a fantastic natural phenomenon few eyes
have the privilege to witness. Cede and Rizal have to hurry
to set up in time to catch it. And they're not the only ones
who are waiting. As sunset approaches,
the sky fills with raptors, peregrine falcons, brahminy eagles
and Wallace's hawk-eagles, all here for the same reason as Cede. Every evening, reliable as clockwork, two million wrinkly bats exit this cave,
in search of their evening meal. [bats squeaking] A swarm like this can devour
several tons of insects in a single night. [camera shutter clicking rapidly] [camera shutter clicks] As soon as the bats clear the ridge,
the raptors swoop to the hunt and a breathtaking aerial battle
commences. [camera shutter clicks rapidly] [camera shutter clicks] [Cede] It's amazing when these bats
are coming out from the chamber... it's like a drive through for...
for Wallace's hawk-eagle and bat hawk. It happens so quick, you can't even see
what's happening in front of your eyes. [narrator] It's an awesome display
of speed and agility. The raptors attack the bat swarm,
exiting with prey in their deadly talons. Even for a photographer
as experienced as Cede, getting a clean shot is no easy feat. [bird squawks] [camera shutter clicking rapidly] [Cede] Bat hawk just zap in,
then there he goes. [camera clicking] [hawk squawks] [Cede] He's gone.
You know, it's a split second thing. Seeing things happening like this... bats being preyed by raptors... Not many events like this happen
and not many events being seen by people, so I’m very fortunate to be here. [narrator] When photographing a remote
wilderness that few human eyes have seen, one good shot is all Cede needs. [hawk squawks] [camera clicks] [camera shutter clicks] Far below the aerial display these caverns
support a thriving complexity of life, in no small part due to the presence
of these bat colonies. Bats play a pivotal role
in the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. Here, in the lowland rainforests
surrounding the Kinabatangan, some species pollinate flowers
and disperse seeds, while others keep insect populations
in check. Within the cave system itself, bat colonies help to support
a flourishing underworld. [dripping] Packed with essential nutrients,
their guano sustains a healthy population of microbes and invertebrates,
as it builds up on the cave floor. Carpeting the detritus left by the colony,
these cockroaches in turn provide sustenance for other creatures. Creatures like the venomous scutigera, who specializes in
hunting other invertebrates. Existing in the dark confines
of these caves, Scutigera use
their well-developed eyesight and sensory antenna to locate their prey. While in this ecosystem they support life, as they travel farther afield,
bats have the potential to be the bringers of death. In the forested area
surrounding these caves, a team of research scientists
is in the midst of a global effort to understand the ecology of disease. It is part of a project named PREDICT. The study has revealed that
60% of the emerging infectious diseases that affect humans originate in wildlife. [man] Viruses such as Ebola, SARS and H1N1 have been carried by wild animals
for thousands of years. [narrator] Disease, as it turns out,
is largely an environmental issue. Due to human activities
and the ever-increasing opening up of forests and jungles, these viruses were spread to humans. [narrator] Malaysia recently experienced the dramatic consequences
of rapid development. Back in 1998, we had an outbreak, which became known
as the Nipah virus outbreak. When it first emerged,
no one knew anything about the virus and it caused over 100 deaths
among pig farm workers. [narrator] With a high mortality rate, the virus was transmitted to the human
population through domesticated pigs that had been infected through feedstock
contaminated by bat urine. To combat its deadly spread, the Malaysian government ordered
the slaughter of over one million pigs. Although costly, there were valuable
lessons to be learned from the outbreak. [Jimmy] So what PREDICT
is trying to do in Malaysia, is create an early warning system. [narrator] Assisted by
the Wildlife Rescue Unit, the team sets up a series of mist nets
to capture live bat specimens. [Jimmy] We obtain samples from wildlife and we try to identify viruses
before an outbreak occurs. [narrator] Working with wildlife
in the field can be precarious at the best of times,
but when handling animals that are known to carry life-threatening
pathogens, extra precaution is necessary. Bats have notoriously poor eyesight. They rely on echolocation
to navigate the night skies. These mist nets are designed to be
undetectable to the bats nocturnal senses. It's not long
before the first samples are snared. The team members must handle them
very carefully. A single bite from an infected bat
could prove fatal. The captured bats are placed
in cotton sacks to minimize any distress. [bats whining] The team will transport the specimens
they have collected to a nearby temporary field lab,
where they will begin their research... gathering blood, saliva and other samples
from high-risk wildlife species, to collate a library of pathogens, so that if one does infect humans,
it can be more quickly identified. [indistinct chatter] [Jimmy] We have collected
over 11,000 samples from Sabah. And we've been able to identify 49 viruses which have never been detected
anywhere else before. [narrator] In addition to cataloguing
these new viruses, EcoHealth Alliance is studying ways
of managing forests, wildlife and livestock to prevent diseases
from escaping from the forest and becoming the next global pandemic. [Jimmy] As we increasingly need places to
live, for crops, to sustain our lives... there are less and less habitats available
for animals or wildlife. So they are forced to move to places
where they can find food, meaning places close to humans. [narrator] Through their
early warning system, PREDICT hopes to prevent a local problem
from becoming a global one. While the international
scientific community strives to unravel the mysteries of life
on this wild frontier... for the Orang Sungai, these challenges
are part and parcel of everyday life. As Cede and Rizal rejoin the main river, the sights, sounds and smells
become increasingly familiar. Hi! [indistinct] [indistinct chatter] [narrator] This part of the river
holds special significance for Cede. But for Rizal, it is simply home. -Ahh. Kiss, kiss, kiss.
-[man] Oh... [indistinct chatter] [man chuckles] [narrator] The village of Sukau,
meaning "tall tree" in the local dialect, is a river community living on the edge
of civilization. It is here that Rizal
has spent his entire life. I grew up here, in Sukau. Before I got married, I followed my father
net fishing, fish trapping, fishing. Once there was tourism,
I became more inclined towards it. [indistinct chatter] [narrator] While for many years
fishing and tourism helped to sustain Rizal's young family,
the cost of living is rising rapidly, forcing Rizal to move with the times. Seeing that our income
was still insufficient, I began planting rubber trees. [Rizal's family laugh] [narrator] The people of the river
are fierce custodians of their natural world, so nothing could
better illustrate the opposing tensions of modern life than Rizal's decision. It's not one that he took lightly. [indistinct chatter] We've opened up this area here
to plant rubber trees. [Cede] Uh-huh. [Rizal] All the rubber trees
have been supplied by the Sabah Government to run this farm. This farm is exclusively for my family, in order to provide
for their daily income. [narrator] To enable small holders,
such as Rizal, to generate economic activities
in the area, the local government offers
financial assistance and land grants. Reserving the right to reclaim
any plot left undeveloped, the government actively promotes progress
in the region, with the result that an estimated
one third of all land cleared in Borneo is cleared by small landholders
and local villagers. To make the most of
this opportunity afforded to him, Rizal has elected to develop
a rubber plantation on his land. [Cede] As someone who loves nature, was it difficult
having to cut down all the trees? Certainly! For me, I would prefer tourism. So there's certainly a feeling of sadness,
but there's no other way! It's for our future generations, -our grandchildren.
-[Cede] Mm. [narrator] But Rizal has also considered
the future of his beloved rainforest surroundings. [Cede] How large is this orchard? It's about seventy-five acres. -Okay.
-But our entire farm is 150 acres. Mm. And what about that jungle over there? [Rizal] With the jungle that you can see
behind us here, we've let it be. It'll provide a passageway for animals
such as elephants, and sometimes orangutans. And there's a riparian reserve
that we have set aside -of about 30 meters from the riverbank.
-[Cede] Mm. So these wild animals -have their own pathway...
-Yeah, that's right. ...so the animals are focused
around your orchard and can still pass through,
left and right. [narrator] While he understands his old
friend's need to provide for his family, Cede is also concerned about
the bigger picture. It is concerning to me when
there are many developments like this. I guess any breadwinner, you gotta look at
how you're gonna sustain your family... but, frankly speaking, I am really sad 'cause this is the only space we have
for our animals. It's the only space we have
for a clean source of water. This small space, where the river people
lives, is almost endangered. It is, it's quite an emotional place
for many people and for me. I'm really part and parcel of
the Kinabatangan system and watching this is very sad.
Very, very sad. [narrator] As the modern world closes in
on this ancient river system, the future of Sabah's "Gift to the Earth"
remains unclear. It is a rapidly changing world, in which
Rizal must shape his own destiny... as husband and provider,
as custodian of his children's future, and as a proud member
of the Orang Sungai. The challenges of life on this
wild river system can seem overwhelming. But in the next episode, we explore how the ingenuity of man
is managing to balance the economic and ecological scales,
along the Kinabatangan... as we journey eastwards
with Cede and Rizal, along waterways ruled
by ancient predators... through the other-worldly
Segama Wetlands... before reaching journey's end... the vibrant Sulu Sea. Before entering the vibrant Sulu Sea, the Kinabatangan River
passes through the mangrove forests. These are the vast Segama Wetlands... housing one of the highest concentrations
of primate species on the planet. It's a newly-declared conservation area
of international significance. It abounds in wildlife, but it is also awash
with the presence of man. Times here are uncertain. There are people here who strive
to balance the needs of ecology and economic development, and others who struggle simply
to keep up with the times. Some are forming new relationships
with man's closest living relative. For others, old scores with
ancient rivals remain unsettled. All of this lies ahead on the final stage
of this most epic journey. As the Kinabatangan River meanders
through the easternmost reaches of the lowland floodplains, one creature, perhaps the most complex of all,
becomes more abundant. Man. The Orang Sungai, or People of The River, are the traditional custodians
of the Kinabatangan, keenly aware of the subtle ebbs and flows
of life along its banks. The most populous village along
the Kinabatangan is Sukau. Historically a fishing village,
but now transformed into a thriving hub of industry. First for timber,
more recently as a center for agriculture. And it is agriculture,
chiefly palm oil production, that is changing the face of the region. But a brake is being put on the spread
of these industries by the appeal of the unspoilt Kinabatangan
to a blossoming tourist trade. The staggering diversity and
unique character of the wildlife that inhabits this part of the river,
attracts people from all over the world. [cameras clicking] Just as it originally drew wildlife photographer Cede Prudente
to the region some twenty years ago, since when he has been
a pioneer of conservation and eco-tourism in the area. [camera clicks] Whilst he appreciates the positive
impact that tourism has had... he believes more needs
to be done to preserve the priceless natural environment. [camera clicks] [Cede]
I like the Kinabatangan River a lot. This is where I learn about nature
and how beautiful nature is and I think the most important thing
with conservation is making it economically viable otherwise,
you know, um... the people don't benefit,
the animals don't benefit. The future generations will really
depend on what we are doing now. [narrator]
Although not born along its banks, Cede has been a passionate advocate
of the river for most of his life. [Cede]
I was born near a forest in Lahad Datu, but we were brought up and schooled
in the city, in Sandakan. I enjoyed both worlds, living in the city,
and coming out here to the Kinabatangan. But the Kinabatangan is more unique,
and more special to me. Don't tell my children. [laughs] Don't tell my wife. But, I guess, this is where my heart is,
in the Kinabatangan. [narrator] Cede hopes to raise awareness
of not only the challenges that face the unique wildlife
to be found here, but also those that confront
the people of the river. [Cede] Over the years, there are
many hardships and challenges that the Orang Sungai has faced. Previously, probably, life was simpler. They get produce from the river,
fishes, prawns, uh, some produce from the forest. But recently, there has been a lot
of development in agriculture. There's been environmental impact
on the river, such as pollution, siltation. They need to face those challenges
and they have to change those problems and issues for betterment. [narrator] Cede believes that addressing
the complexity of these issues adequately, means meeting them with a united front. I feel the Orang Sungai are
the true guardians of the river, the true guardians of the forest,
and the animals around it. Conservationists have to work
with the government, have to work with the local people,
and the palm oil producers. Without concerted synergy or collaboration
between the different stakeholders, the Kinabatangan region will die. [narrator] For Rizal and his young family,
this is simply part of the daily reality on this remote frontier
where times are changing. If the people of the river are to
remain relevant in the modern world, they must adapt. And balancing the old and new worlds
is an ongoing challenge. As Rizal and Cede set off
on the last leg of their journey, they must say their goodbyes. Bye. [narrator] Before entering
the Segama Wetlands, Cede wants to visit an old friend, one whose knowledge
of this river is unrivalled. Meet master boat-builder and fisherman,
Patti Arsah. A village elder. As a younger man, Arsah worked
in the timber and palm oil industries before helping pioneer eco-tourism
in the Kinabatangan floodplains. Cede and Arsah are old friends. [Cede] I met Patti Arsah
more than twenty years ago, here on this Kinabatangan. This is quite a meaningful place for me. -How are you?
-Great! -It's been a while since we've met, eh?
-Been a while indeed. -I've gotten rather large, eh? [laughs]
-Large indeed. The other one over there,
he's gotten larger too. [narrator] Leaving the old friends
to catch up, Rizal goes to buy supplies
for their journey. Arsah was one of the first guys
who took me round here and now I've learned so much about
this place and appreciate this area. So it's quite an emotional visit. -It's hot.
-Oh, look, an eagle! Hmm, yeah, a large eagle. [narrator]
Cede first met Arsah in the 1980s. In the years since, they have pioneered
the tourism industry in Sukau. From its meager beginnings, ecotourism has grown to become one of the
most significant industries in the region. Attracting a steady stream of tourists, generating income that not only
helps to support the local economy, but also offers some protection
to the surrounding wilderness. Do you still bring tourists catching fish, do you sell it or is it for yourself? [Arsah] I'd sell it
if there were plenty of fish, but how can I sell it,
if it's only a little bit like this? -So I'm forced to just use it for myself.
-[Cede] Ah... [Arsah] Nowadays,
there's less prawns, less fish. There's too many people
catching them excessively for sale. They are catching more and more
and selling them. It's difficult but what can I do?
I'm at a disadvantage. Their equipment is trawling net and
they use engines to swoop them up. [narrator] It is stories such as the one
that Arsah tells that have driven Cede to act. Taking leave of his old friend, Cede continues his onward journey, hoping that his new book
can play a small role in protecting this fragile environment
and those, like Arsah, who depend upon it for survival. [indistinct chatter] [narrator] As for Arsah, he must return
to his home with the morning catch. Arsah lives on the outskirts
of Sukau village. His family is a large one. Seven children, 26 grandchildren,
and 13 great-grandchildren. Arsah primarily supports his family
in traditional ways, such as fishing, supplementing his income by
working as a part-time tour guide. Of the entire clan, only one
of the grandchildren, Gidan, is interested in learning
the traditional ways. As they bring in the morning's catch,
Gidan's grandmother begins preparation of their midday meal... while Arsah and his grandson
attend to their chores. Gidan relishes the time he
spends with his grandfather. [Gidan]
I like following my grandfather, Arsah. He has taught me many things. Take the scissors, Gidan. [Gidan] He takes me net fishing,
placing fish trawlers, laying fish traps. And he teaches me how to make boats. [narrator] But not many of Gidan's
siblings share his enthusiasm for learning the trades and crafts
of their forebears. [boy] Some of the village traditions
are obsolete. So we need to change them so that
they can be a little more modern. I prefer to live in the city because
I want to become a doctor. If one's ambition is to be a doctor,
or an engineer and so on, you'd need to continue your education through schools that are better
than those available in the village. [narrator] The Orang Sungai traditions are the cornerstone
of these people's identity. One tradition in particular
takes precedence over the rest. It is the key to the
River People's survival. It is a tradition in which Arsah's mastery
supports his family. [Arsah] Our first source of livelihood
for Orang Sungai is making boats. Catching fish, casting nets... All sorts of livelihoods can be made with this boat. [narrator] For a people like Arsah, whose life is so intrinsically tied
to the waters of the Kinabatangan, the boat is not only the cornerstone
of the Orang Sungai's heritage, but of their survival. I feel that the most important thing
is this, the boat. So, when I die, I'll hand over
my knowledge to my grandchild, here. If we throw it away... there's no one else to take over,
that's why I'm teaching this one here. I'm thankful he's able to get it,
bit by bit. [narrator] The attention of the youngest
generation of his family may have been captured by
modern ways and bright city lights, but Arsah hopes that his cherished
traditional ways will live on in Gidan, the youngest and keenest of pupils. While traditions can be passed
from grandfather to son to grandson... the ailing culture of Orang Sungai
will survive. The struggle to remain relevant
along this mighty river system is not just about the Orang Sungai. It is about an ancient land
in a 21st century world. Currently in Sabah, the per hectare
income of a palm oil plantation is fifty times greater than that
of an equivalent area of native forest. This huge disparity in capital value
is the single greatest threat facing the natural world here. Over 90% of the land devoted
to palm oil production, is in Malaysia and Indonesia. A large proportion of it
on the island of Borneo. Palm oil is the world's
cheapest vegetable oil and demand for it is forecast to skyrocket
over the next decade. It is an imminent and very real threat
to the entire ecosystem and the tireless work of many in Sukau
is aimed at achieving a viable balance. This is Razak, the beneficiary of an
alliance between the village of Sukau and a not-for-profit conservation
organization, known as HUTAN. [man] The presence of HUTAN is very much
welcomed by the leadership here. We can clearly see that because
of the existence of flora and fauna that is still being protected
through conservation, tourism is coming from the outside. Without HUTAN,
Sukau might be monopolized in favor of the development of palm oil. [narrator] Present in the village
since 1996, HUTAN, for which Razak works, has taken a holistic approach
to ensuring both ecological and economic stability in the region. Today, Razak is joining French biologist
and HUTAN founder Marc Ancrenaz to conduct a census on an endangered,
nest-building, forest-dweller high on HUTAN's list of priorities. But first, they have to find it. Perhaps this is the best known
of all of Borneo's splendid species. This is the orangutan. "Orang-utan" literally means
"People of the Forest." They are highly intelligent great apes,
sharing more than 95% of our DNA, which makes them one of our
closest living relatives. Orangutan is an endangered species and the numbers in the wild are declining. [narrator]
Due to mainly to loss of habitat, the population of the Bornean orangutan has declined by 80% in the last 20 years. It is estimated there are only around
12,000 individuals left on the island. Dedicated to fostering mutual co-existence
between man and ape, HUTAN employs over 50 locals, which makes the organization
the largest employer in the area. Here at HUTAN,
we have a team of researchers entering the study site,
looking for orangutans. We follow them, we take data
about their home range, their feeding behavior, social activities,
their location in the forest. We want to identify what
are the key resources they need to survive
in this kind of habitat. [narrator] The team is tracking
a particular orangutan pair, which they have been studying. [Marc] Today we are following two
orangutans, Juliana, the mother, and our young Felicity. And here the research shows
that the orangutan can't really survive
in this type of habitat. But the question is can people
and orangutan live together? If we want to address this issue, we really need to look
at the bigger picture, to have a holistic approach. [narrator]
Male orangutans tend to be solitary, but youngsters, like Felicity,
spend the first ten years of their lives with their mothers. Female orangutans only bare offspring
once every eight years. This slow reproduction rate
leaves orangutans particularly susceptible
to population depletion. But it does have its advantages. Like all great apes, orangutans
are able to accumulate and pass on knowledge learned from their ancestors
to their young. One such skill is nest building. Under the tutelage of their mothers, young orangutans learn
how to construct nests, by bending and weaving strong yet pliable
green tree branches into a complex scaffold... which they then fill with a bed
of soft leaves. [Marc] Felicity just built a nest
for the morning nap. Maybe she will stay there for one hour
and then she will look for food. Felicity's mother, Juliana,
is also sleeping. She's about 20 meters away. But we cannot see her.
This is the problem with orangutans, very difficult to spot in the canopy. Hopefully we won't lose her. [narrator] With Juliana out of sight,
the team has to split up to ensure it can accurately record the movements
and behavior of both orangutans. Marc and Razak set off to locate
Felicity's missing mother. This is where Razak comes into his own. I have been involved in conservation
for over 12 years. I work to seek a source of income
for my livelihood and that of my family's. But I'm genuinely interested in this work.
Especially in conservation... which is what I'm really passionate about. [narrator] From a forestry background, his knowledge of indigenous
plants and animals has made him invaluable to the team. They'll throw these away,
but they'll eat this one. This is a fruit the orangutan is eating. Here we have the skin. Inside this fruit, there is a seed and the orangutan is cracking it open, eating the flesh of the fruit
and spitting the seed. The orangutan eats more than 650 species
of plants in our study site only you realize that we need specialists, we need people who can identify
these plant species. This is what Razak does the best. [narrator]
Razak's tracking skills do not disappoint. Look, it's up there. She's up there in this tree. The orangutan has been described
as being "the gardener of the forest" because of his big size and the huge
quantities of foods he is eating, he helps the seeds to be disseminated. [narrator] Like us, orangutans require
huge quantities of food to power their large brains. One fifth of all the food orangutans
consume is dedicated to this task. [narrator] Having eaten her fill, Juliana soon heads back through the trees
to find her daughter Felicity. Education, employment,
and increased tourism have been key results of the grassroots
conservation movement started by Marc Ancranez. [Marc]
There is always something new to learn and, of course, even if we have spent
so many years with orangutans, there is always new behaviors
these orangutans will show us. That's why it's so exciting
to do this kind of research. [narrator] By protecting orangutans
and their remaining forest habitat, HUTAN is fostering
an almost symbiotic relationship between the villagers
and the great apes. Orangutans depend on the work we are doing
because when we're in the forest, the forest is protected, de facto. But at the same time,
we also depend on the orangutan because they provide us
a platform to work. These 50 people working with us are all paid
because we are protecting orangutans. At the same time,
people from all over the world, they want to come
and see orangutans in the wild, so it's a terrific asset
we have in Kinabatangan. [narrator] An asset
that Razak has come to love. [Razak] We feel proud and lucky
that there are orangutans here. I will definitely maintain
and defend them, so all of my children
and the future generations can see the flora and fauna
that exist in the Kinabatangan... that are still being protected
through conservation. [narrator] In the face of
unprecedented change, the villagers of Sukau,
with the support of HUTAN and local government agencies, have managed to establish
the basis of a promising green economy which, if managed correctly, will ensure
a prosperous future for the people and for the wildlife. Continuing its journey ever eastwards
towards the Sulu Sea, the Kinabatangan approaches
the mangrove forests and peat swamps of the coastal regions. Cede's epic journey is almost at an end. Ultimately, it's the beginning of
a much grander endeavor. [camera clicks] Working alongside like-minded groups
and government agencies, there is much to be done
in the name of conservation. It's a race against the clock to preserve
the most vulnerable of species. [camera clicks] Many species who live on these floodplains rely on the forested canopies to navigate
the often flooded forest floor... using overhanging branches
to cross the water below. But illegal logging in many areas has removed many of these natural bridges. Unlike most primate species,
pig-tailed macaques are adept swimmers, but attempting to cross the river
in this way, would be perilous. Within these waters lurk hidden dangers. To assist primate crossings
along the river, local conservation groups have erected
a series of man-made bridges. Saltwater crocodiles keep a close eye
on the movements above. A family of monitor lizards,
opportunistic scavengers, waits close by. Any misstep here could prove fatal. Bringing up the rear, this dominant male
sees his family safely across the river and to the fruit-laden trees beyond. This crocodile will have to look elsewhere
for a meal. In these brackish waters,
the saltwater crocodile is the Kinabatangan's apex predator. Growing up to six meters in length,
it is the largest of all living reptiles. The saltwater crocodile
is a formidable ambush predator, capable of taking any animal
that enters its domain. Fish, birds... large mammals... even man. Perhaps that is why the relationship
between man and crocodiles has never been an easy one. Here in Sabah, due to their perceived
menace and to the value of their skin, the saltwater crocodile was hunted
to the brink of extinction. Fearing the loss of
this magnificent predator, a timely and concerted effort led by
local government and conservation groups has resurrected the species. Healthy numbers now exist in a number of
regions along the Kinabatangan. The ecological and economic benefits
of conservation efforts upstream are quite tangible. But in these parts, conservation
occasionally exacts a very high price. In the last 15 years, there have been
25 crocodile attacks along the river. Seventeen have been fatal. [pig squeals] [narrator] With a view to reducing
the frequency of these attacks, British-born PhD student Luke Evans has teamed up with
conservation group DGFC in order to better understand
the ecology of the saltwater crocodile. The ultimate goal of the study
would be to... to eradicate any human attacks and maintain a healthy population
of crocodiles here, which is very difficult with predators
that come into conflict with humans. It's one of the major challenges
facing conservation today. [narrator] The team is setting out
to trap a large croc so that it can be tagged
with a satellite collar, allowing its movements to be tracked. Really, what we want is somewhere
where the water's not flowing too much. Actually, over here.
You've got the natural barrier there and a couple of trees, overhanging,
to tie to. We've got a couple of nice basking sites
around as well for them. So, we wanna look at
where crocodiles are going and when they're going there and so we can
look at data over a long time period and use that to work out
when crocs are most active, where they're most active, and we can even relate that back into when
people are most likely to be attacked. [narrator] The team will need
to move quickly in these crocodile-infested waters. A saltwater croc is capable of growing
up to six meters and can lunge half its body length
out of the water. One, two, three. [strains] [narrator] So Luke and his crew
are well within striking range. [Luke] What we wanna do is adjust the rope so that it's sitting nicely,
in a nice direction. Then we'll bait it. So this is the bait that we're using. It's, uh... [exhales] chicken intestines. Incredibly smelly. It's kind of a case of
the smellier the better for these guys. [narrator] Crocodiles have
a highly-developed sense of smell. With the bait now in the water, crocodiles are sure
to start inspecting the trap. [Luke] It's a steel mesh trap
with a simple pin trigger system. So, basically, what we have here is bait,
um, attached by a rope, threaded along to the trigger mechanism, and a pin which is threaded underneath
the door, so any pressure on the bait itself,
pulls the trigger out of the door and the door falls down. We just cover it over
with some vegetation, just to make sure
that any croc that we catch, it has shade and it doesn't overheat. They're much more likely and more inclined to go into an enclosed area
where they feel safe. [narrator] With the trap set and baited,
it's now a waiting game. The team will return in the morning
to see if they have been successful. Things have gone to plan. Inside the trap
is a four-meter saltwater crocodile. To tag it, the team has to get close.
Very close. So what we're doing is...
We're just gonna fit a couple of top jaw ropes,
so we have some control of the animal before we even open the door. Then we know everyone can be safe,
the animal's gonna be safe. [narrator] A croc of this size
can weigh up to half a ton and it's quick to show off its death roll. [Luke] They often use death rolling
to tear chunks of meat off their prey. Now, they also do it
as a defense mechanism. So if they've been captured, then
they'll death roll to try and get free. [narrator] With the jaw lassoed,
it takes five men to hold the croc down so that the jaw can be wrapped
with strong tape, neutralizing the fearsome teeth. [Luke] You've gotta make sure that
you respect the power of these animals and the fact that a five-meter croc
could easily get everybody involved. [indistinct chatter] [narrator] With the croc safely secured,
it's time to attach the collar. [Luke] We're gonna drill through
these four scoots and thread
plastic-coated steel wire through and then the collar will sit on here. -[drill whirs]
-[Luke] 55.4. -[woman] Like this, or this?
-[Luke] This. Yeah, it's going very well.
She hasn't been, uh, too distressed, which is good. We managed to get
the work done in a pretty decent time. So, yeah, I'm very happy. We really want to try
and protect this environment, both for the people who live here,
but also for the crocs. And usually, the best way
to do that is to... to create some sort of economic incentive
for the crocodiles to be there. [men shout indistinctly] [man] Woo-hoo! It's really difficult when you get
a rise in population of any predator, whether it be tigers,
or whether it be leopards, or crocodiles. We really need to find a way
for people to coexist with them. If you remove a big apex predator
like that from this ecosystem, it can have terrible effects
on the rest of the animals. If you lose that,
you lose a big part of what this river is. [narrator] The lowland floodplain
of the Kinabatangan is one of the few places on Earth in which ten species of primate
may be found. [monkey calls] Orangutan, gibbon... red and silver leaf monkeys. Various species of langur and macaques
are all represented here. This incredible diversity
of primate species is supported by an abundant variety
of fruiting trees which provide food throughout the year. Perhaps the most bizarre-looking
of all the primates to be found here is the proboscis monkey. With their huge, bulbous noses
and potbellies, they truly are genetic oddities. The diet of the proboscis monkeys consists mainly of leaves, seeds
and unripened fruit. To digest it, they have evolved complex,
chambered stomachs, that rely on a host of symbiotic bacteria. They never stray far from
the life-giving Kinabatangan, and each night return to roost
in the trees along its banks. It is this behavior that makes
a wildlife photographer's job just that little bit easier. Gliding silently along the river,
Rizal spots movement in the trees. A troupe of proboscis monkeys usually consists of a large number
of females and their offspring, led by a single, dominant male. This is a harem group.
One male, two to 15 females, and about 30 individual. It's challenging for the male
because there is a bachelor group that challenges the dominant male
all the time. It's a pretty tough life
for the dominant male. [narrator] Competing male
proboscis monkeys do not fight physically. They prove their dominance
through acrobatic displays. This is what Cede has traveled to see. The acrobatic displays are nothing
if not photogenic... exhibiting impressive feats,
and emitting curious sounds, projected through
their large bulbous noses. These guys are like flying monkeys. See, that's the shot. The jumping male. Or a side profile. [camera clicks] Or, you know, aggression. [calls] [camera clicks] Even just sitting and relaxing,
watching all the females, watching all his dynasty and his kingdom. That is a quite a nice shot. [narrator] Like most of
Borneo's unique wildlife, proboscis monkeys are suffering in the face of increased agricultural
development and habitat loss. With just 7000 of these amazing creatures
left in the wild, the proboscis monkey has
the unwelcome distinction of being rated as more endangered
than the orangutan, a plight Cede is determined to highlight
in his new book. I think, as a photographer, we are sort of
the ambassador for these animals and we showcase about their lives,
their habitat and it is so important to show
to the world that they exist and... pictures make a thousand words. [camera clicks] [narrator] Entering the final stage
of their journey, Cede and Rizal leave the floodplains and move into the vast network of
coastal wetlands that border the Sulu Sea. Dominated by mangrove forests
and peat swamps, these wetlands play a vital role in settling the sediments
and organic loads carried by the river. They contribute greatly
to carbon sequestration. [camera clicks] Inhabiting the region
for more than 70 million years, the prolific nipa palms
are the only palm tree in the world that has adapted to life in mangroves. Their tough fronds and roots
form a natural barrier against typhoons and waves, preventing erosion and maintaining
the critical balance that makes these wetlands
such a rich nursery of life. [camera clicks] The nipa is an important barrier
of the coastline. It hosts a variety of species of snakes,
species of snails and clams. It is an important ecosystem
that synergizes with the lowland forest. [camera clicks] It is so important that it is designated
as a Ramsar Site. It's a certification of high importance
to birds and wildlife habitat. [narrator] Not only is the Segama Wetlands
Sabah's first accredited Ramsar site, but Malaysia's largest, covering
over 78,000 hectares of coastline. As it is estimated
that almost 80% of global fish stocks are, directly or indirectly,
dependent on mangroves, the implementation of a green economy
will play an important role in the correct management
of this vital resource. One such fish is the world's largest
and most endangered parrotfish. The bumphead parrotfish. During the breeding season,
the bumphead parrotfish migrates into these mangroves
to lay its eggs. Within the relative safety
of these shallow waters, juvenile bumphead parrotfish
are able to reach maturity before returning to the Sulu Sea. Primarily feeding on algae
that grows on coral, parrotfish use their beaks to scrape off
the topmost layers. Passing this calcium
creates a fine sediment, which, over time, builds up to form sand. Most of the sand found
on the world's coral reefs is created by species like
the bumphead parrotfish. The loss of these mangrove species
would have devastating economic and environmental consequences
for coastal communities. For Malaysia's largest Ramsar Site, the journey to sustainable development
is just beginning. For Cede and Rizal, the epic journey down
the Kinabatangan is coming to an end. Five hundred and sixty kilometers
from Imbak Falls, from where they set out, Cede and Rizal have come to the end
of their odyssey. We're almost at the end of our journey
from Imbak Canyon down to the lowlands, through the river rainforest,
now into the open sea, the mangroves. What an incredible journey. [narrator] As the first photographer
to ever document the mighty Kinabatangan from source to sea, Cede's new book
will not only be a permanent record of their achievement... [camera clicks] ...but a testament to the wild majesty
of this untamed region. [birds squawk] [camera clicks] I'm amazed to see how one river
can give so many faces and interpretations of life. Many of these species are endemic to
Borneo and they can be found nowhere else. I hope this book will help
to preserve this unique environment. [camera clicks] [narrator] Growth and decay, wet and dry, perpetual change has been at the heart
of the Kinabatangan for millions of years. The key to the river's survival
has been its capacity to adapt. [Cede] The Kinabatangan
is just so vibrant, you know, from the coastline to the swamps
and to the upper stream. There has to be
a balance of economy and ecology. There should be a concerted effort
between the politicians, the conservationists and the local people,
'cause extinction is forever. [camera clicks] There is a big danger of losing
our key species like the orangutans and elephants. They may disappear
in the next generation. [narrator] As long as
there people prepared to rise to meet these challenges... [camera clicks] ...there is hope
that this mighty river system and its wild inhabitants will endure. [Cede] With the current conservation work
and our forest status, it's not too late to save whatever's left. And as a photographer, I will be
an ambassador of the Kinabatangan to ensure that this place is preserved. [narrator] As it collides
with the coastline, the mighty Kinabatangan River
flows into the Sulu Sea and the glorious Coral Triangle. This water, that has traveled so far, is about to begin the journey
all over again. In this warm tropical sea,
the sun evaporates the water which rises as vapor,
forming clouds which travel back towards the mountains
which force them higher, cooling them, so that they fall as rain. Rain which, once more, swells
the many rivulets and streams that flow over Imbak Falls
and into the Amazon of the East.
