Wildlife of Borneo
Borneo holds the Bornean orangutan — critically endangered — plus proboscis monkeys with their comically bulbous noses, Bornean pygmy elephants, and clouded leopards. Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre is the classic place to see orangutans; the Kinabatangan River is best for wild wildlife.
Best timeMarch – October for drier weather and river wildlife.
- 1Borneo shares three countries and one of the world's oldest rainforests.
- 2Orangutans are found only in Borneo and Sumatra.
- 3Proboscis monkeys live only on Borneo, in mangrove and riverine forest.
Signature species
Curated for Borneo, each tagged with its IUCN Red List status.
- CR
Bornean orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus
- EN
Proboscis monkey
Nasalis larvatus
- EN
Pygmy elephant
Elephas maximus borneensis
- VU
Sunda clouded leopard
Neofelis diardi
- CR
Helmeted hornbill
Rhinoplax vigil
IUCN codes — EX extinct · EW extinct in wild · CR critically endangered · EN endangered · VU vulnerable · NT near threatened · LC least concern · DD data deficient
Dos & don'ts
Local etiquette that keeps wildlife wild.
Do
- Book with FSC-certified lodges only.
- Support HUTAN's orangutan corridor work.
- Keep distance — use zoom or binoculars, never bait animals closer.
- Stay on marked trails to avoid trampling nests, burrows and plants.
Don't
- Don't buy hornbill casque carvings — they fuel poaching.
- Don't touch or feed orangutans — even at rehab centres.
- Never feed wildlife — human food changes behaviour and shortens lives.
- Don't share exact locations of nests, dens or rare species online.
Spotted here lately
Live from iNaturalist — research-grade observations within 400km, last 30 days.
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