4/09/2025

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THURSDAY | SEPT 4, 2025

ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper

@thesundaily

MIRI: As the sun begins to set in the rainforest, the sky above Mulu National Park transforms into a natural stage as thousands of bats stream out of the mouth of the Deer Cave. The animals form black waves in the evening sky in a unique phenomenon known as the “bat exodus”, which takes place almost every evening. For nature lovers and adventure seekers, it is not just a sight to behold but also an extraordinary experience, a perfectly orchestrated spectacle of nature. The park was recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2000 for its geological features and high biodiversity. Deer Cave, one many caves in the park, is said to be one of the largest limestone caves in the world and home to millions of bats. To reach the bat exodus viewing area, visitors must undertake a three-kilometre plank walk that crosses a peat swamp, stream and limestone outcrop, lasting about 45 minutes before arriving at an open area near the entrance to Deer Cave. A group of social media influencers, as well as Bernama, had the chance to witness the phenomenon firsthand during a familiarisation trip to the park organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board in collaboration with Gaya Travel Media. Guide Richie Philip, 35, told Bernama the cave is home to an estimated two to three million bats from 12 species, with the wrinkled-lipped bat colony being the most dominant, creating striking formations as they leave in search of food. “They usually come out between 5pm and 6pm. Sometimes they do not emerge if it rains heavily. But when conditions are right, the bats pour out in an unbroken stream, swirling through the sky. It is truly an incredible sight.” He said before their mass exit, the bats circle the cave entrance in spiral or S-shaped formations as a natural strategy to confuse predators such as eagles that often “patrol” the area. He added that the event occurs only at Deer Cave due to its main chamber, which

Mulu ‘bat exodus’ unique natural phenomenon

o Animals not only major tourist attraction, but also essential to surrounding ecosystem: Expert rises more than 100m high and is partly illuminated by sunlight, unobstructed by surrounding trees. “The bats circle inside the chamber before flying out as they wait for other groups to join them so they feel safer. “At the same time, this formation also confuses the eagles waiting outside, making it harder for the predators to catch them.” Richie also said the event could last several minutes, forming what looks like black clouds across the sky, with the bats flying at speeds of up to 70km per hour for as far as 50km before returning to their habitat the next morning. He said the animals are not only a major tourist attraction but also vital to the cave ecosystem as their guano (excrement) is a food source for numerous insect species and small fish. “Without the bats, the cave’s food chain would collapse.” He also advised visitors to remain silent when watching the phenomenon, as noise could cause the bats to fly higher, dampening the sound of their flapping wings.

Richie said the event could last several minutes, forming what looks like black clouds across the sky. – BERNAMAPIC

More than 200 trees planted under community initiative KUALA LUMPUR: More than 200 trees have been planted across Bangsar over the past two years under a community initiative led by Global Institute for Tomorrow CEO Chandran Nair, aimed at restoring greenery and raising awareness about climate change. “Urban temperatures have risen considerably in the last 40 years. “Thus in some areas citizens are taking action, encouraged by the support of local MPs and authorities. An obvious course of action is to plant trees where old trees were cut down due to age or disease and safety reasons.” frangipanis and coconut palms sourced from the Free Tree Society and Chandran’s own nursery in Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. Each sapling is tagged with a bilingual message urging the public to protect the plants and “take care of Malaysia”.

environmental stewardship from a young age. He added that while the authorities are aware of the efforts, stronger measures could be taken to tighten rules on indiscriminate cutting and pruning of trees, and to ensure replanting is mandatory. “They could ensure that house owners understand that trees outside their homes are public assets and they have no right to cut or poison them.” – Bernama

He said the initiative has drawn positive response from the public and hopes it could serve as a model for other neighbourhoods and schools to instil civic responsibility and

He said the initiative focused on planting trees in areas where old ones had been removed due to age, disease or safety concerns.

Among the species planted are African tulips, bunga tanjong , beruas , gelam ,

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