Editing Sabah (section)

== Geography ==
[[File:Haiyan 2013-11-07 1345Z (alternate, borderless).png|thumb|Sabah is located south of the [[typhoon]] belt, making it insusceptible to the devastating effects of the typhoons which frequently batter the neighbouring [[Philippines]],<ref name="land below the wind">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/4204225/Settled-by-the-sea-in-the-Land-Below-the-Wind.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/4204225/Settled-by-the-sea-in-the-Land-Below-the-Wind.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Settled by the sea in the Land Below the Wind |author=Jonny Beardsall |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=15 May 2007 |access-date=1 June 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> such as the [[Typhoon Haiyan]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2013/11/10/sabah-fishermen-spared-super-typhoon-haiyans-wrath/ |title=Sabah fishermen spared Super Typhoon Haiyan's wrath |work=The Star |date=10 November 2013 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>]]

The total land area of Sabah is nearly {{convert|73904|km2|sqmi}}<ref name="statistics">{{cite web|url=https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cone&menu_id=dTZ0K2o4YXgrSDRtaEJyVmZ1R2h5dz09|title=Sabah @ a Glance|publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia|access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref> surrounded by the South China Sea in the west, Sulu Sea in the northeast and Celebes Sea in the southeast.<ref name="sbh"/> Sabah has a total of {{convert|1743|km|mi}} coastline, of which {{convert|295.5|km|mi}} have been [[Coastal erosion|eroding]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.did.sabah.gov.my/mobile/index.php?id=khyzaa7o&bhs=English |title=Coastal Engineering |publisher=Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Sabah |access-date=22 May 2016}}</ref> Because of Sabah coastline facing three seas, the state receive an extensive marine resources.<ref name="fishdept">{{cite web |url=http://www.fishdept.sabah.gov.my/?q=en/content/fisheries-profile |title=The Fisheries Industry in Sabah – A Short Profile |publisher=Department of Fisheries, Sabah |date=25 April 2016 |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523111958/http://www.fishdept.sabah.gov.my/?q=en%2Fcontent%2Ffisheries-profile |archive-date=23 May 2016 }}</ref> In 1961, Sabah including neighbouring [[Sarawak]], which had been included in the [[International Maritime Organization]] (IMO) through the participation of the United Kingdom, became joint associate members of the IMO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/1961/CN.144.1961-Eng.pdf|title=Convention on the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organization Done at Geneva on 6 March 1948 [Communication From the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]|publisher=United Nations|date=13 November 1961|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215055512/https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/CN/1961/CN.144.1961-Eng.pdf|archive-date=15 December 2019}}</ref> Its [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ) is much larger towards the South China Sea and Celebes Sea than to the Sulu Sea.<ref name="geo">{{cite web |url=http://foreversabah.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Environmental-Law-and-Policy-in-Sabah-Vol.-4-Coasts-Islands-and-Seas.pdf |title=Environmental Law and Policy in Sabah: From Ridge to Reef – Volume 4: Coasts, Islands and Seas |publisher=Forever Sabah |year=2015 |access-date=23 May 2016 |page=27/113 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523113239/http://foreversabah.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Environmental-Law-and-Policy-in-Sabah-Vol.-4-Coasts-Islands-and-Seas.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2016 }}</ref> The state coastline is covered with [[mangrove]] and [[Nypa fruticans|nipah]] forests. The mangroves cover about 331,325 hectares of the state land and constitute 57% of the total mangroves in the country.<ref name="geo"/> Both coastal areas in the west coast and east coast are entirely dominating by sand beaches, while in sheltered areas the sand was mixed with mud.<ref>{{cite book |author=Nobuo Mimura |title=Asia-Pacific Coasts and Their Management: States of Environment |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dgXnSZ300NAC&pg=PA224 |date= 2008 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-1-4020-3625-5 |page=224}}</ref> The northern area of [[Tanjung Simpang Mengayau]] has a type of [[pocket beach]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gsm.org.my/products/702001-100338-PDF.pdf |title=The geological heritage values and potential geotourism development of the beaches in Northern Sabah, Malaysia |author=Joanese Muda |work=Department of Minerals and Geosciences, Sarawak |publisher=Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia |date=November 2013 |access-date=22 May 2016 |page=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522095649/http://www.gsm.org.my/products/702001-100338-PDF.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2016 }}</ref> The areas in the west coast has a large freshwater [[wetland]]s, with the Klias Peninsula hosts a large area of tidal wetlands<ref name="Mojiol2006">{{cite book |author=Andy Russel Immit Mojiol |title=Ecological Landuse Planning and Sustainable Management of Urban and Sub-urban Green Areas in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PVi6okfiv_EC&pg=PA13 |year=2006 |publisher=Cuvillier Verlag |isbn=978-3-86727-081-6 |page=13}}</ref> and a wetland centre known as the [[Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre]] was designated as a [[Ramsar site]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2290|title=Kota Kinabalu Wetland|publisher=[[Ramsar Convention]]|access-date=1 August 2018}}</ref> The western part of Sabah is generally mountainous, containing three highest peak. The main [[mountain range]]s is the [[Crocker Range]] with several mountains varying height from about 1,000 metres to 4,000 metres. Adjacent to the Crocker Range is the [[Trus Madi Range]] with [[Mount Trus Madi]], with a height of 2,642 metres.<ref>{{cite book |author1=George Argent |author2=Anthony Lamb |author3=Anthea Phillipps |title=The Rhododendrons of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5DklAQAAMAAJ |year=2007 |publisher=Natural History Publications (Borneo) |isbn=978-983-812-111-8}}</ref> The highest peak is the [[Mount Kinabalu]], with a height around 4,095 metres.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Kyoji Sassa |author2=Paolo Canuti |author3=Yueping Yin |title=Landslide Science for a Safer Geoenvironment: Vol.1: The International Programme on Landslides (IPL) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WKUpBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA149 |date=2014 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-04999-1 |page=149}}</ref> It is [[List of Southeast Asian mountains|one of the highest peak]] between the [[Himalayas]] and [[New Guinea]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=K. M. Wong |author2=Chew Lun Chan |title=Mount Kinabalu: Borneo's Magic Mountain: An Introduction to the Natural History of One of the World's Great Natural Monuments |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igfbAAAAMAAJ |year=1997 |publisher=Natural History Publications |isbn=978-983-812-014-2}}</ref> While located not far from Mount Kinabalu is [[Mount Tambuyukon]], with a height of 2,579 metres.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Lawrence S. Hamilton |author2=James O. Juvik |author3=F.N. Scatena |title=Tropical Montane Cloud Forests |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pO_SBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA194 |date= 2012 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-1-4612-2500-3 |page=194}}</ref>

These mountains and hills are traversed by an extensive network of river valleys and are in most cases covered with dense rainforest. There are lower ranges of hills extending towards the western coasts, southern plains, and the interior or central part of Sabah. The central and eastern portions of Sabah are generally lower mountain ranges and plains with occasional hills. In the east coast located the Kinabatangan River, which is the second-longest river in Malaysia after [[Rajang River]] in Sarawak with a length of 560 kilometres.<ref>{{cite book |author=George Thomas Kurian |title=The Encyclopedia of the Third World: Guinea-Bissau to Peru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=deayAAAAIAAJ |year=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=978-0-8160-1120-9}}</ref> The river begins from the western ranges and snakes its way through the central region towards the east coast out into the Sulu Sea. Other major rivers including the Kalabakan River, [[Kolopis River]], Liwagu River, Padas River, Paitan River, Segama River and Sugut River, in addition to Babagon River, Bengkoka River, Kadamaian River, Kalumpang River, Kiulu River, Mawao River, Membakut River, Mesapol River, Nabawan River, Papar River, Pensiangan River, Tamparuli River and Wario River.<ref name="Tietze2007">{{cite book |author=Uwe Tietze |title=Credit and Microfinance Needs in Inland Capture Fisheries Development and Conservation in Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ihTrWUKDvLUC&pg=PA130 |year=2007 |publisher=Food & Agriculture Org. |isbn=978-92-5-105756-8 |pages=130–131}}</ref>

The land of Sabah is located in a [[tropical geography]] with [[tropical rainforest climate|equatorial climate]]. It experiences two [[monsoon]] seasons of northeast and southwest. The northeast monsoon occurs from November to March with heavy rains, while the southwest monsoon prevails from May to September with less rainfall.<ref name="Tietze2007"/> It also received two inter-monsoon season from April to May and September to October. The average daily temperature varies from {{convert|27|C|F}} to {{convert|34|C|F}}, with a considerable amount of rain from 1,800 millimetres to 4,000 millimetres.<ref name="Tietze2007"/> The coastal areas occasionally experience severe storms as the state is situated south of the [[typhoon]] belt.<ref name="Tietze2007"/> Due to its location is very close to the typhoon belt, Sabah experience the worst [[1996 Pacific typhoon season|Tropical Storm Greg]] on 25 December 1996.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Interannual Variability of Tropical Cyclone Activity in the Southern South China Sea |volume=113 |issue=D6 |pages=D06106 |author1=Zabani Md. Zuki |author2=Anthony R. Lupo |journal= Journal of Geophysical Research|year=2007 |bibcode=2008JGRD..113.6106Z |doi=10.1029/2007JD009218 |hdl=10355/2440 |doi-access=free |hdl-access=free }}</ref> The storm left more than 100 people dead, with another 200–300 missing, 3,000–4,000 people left homeless.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/106-die-in-storm-and-3-000-are-left-homeless-1.119125 |title=106 die in storm and 3,000 are left homeless |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=27 December 1996 |access-date=22 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522042431/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/106-die-in-storm-and-3-000-are-left-homeless-1.119125 |archive-date=22 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://weather.ou.edu/~spark/AMON/v1_n1/GREG.html |title=The Christmas Day Storm – Typhoon GREG |work=CNN and The Star |publisher=[[University of Oklahoma College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences|School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma]] |access-date=22 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050824120524/http://weather.ou.edu/~spark/AMON/v1_n1/GREG.html |archive-date=24 August 2005 }}</ref> As Sabah also lies within the [[Sunda Plate]] with a compression from the [[Australian Plate|Australian]] and [[Philippine Plate]], it is prone to earthquake with the state itself have experienced three major earthquakes since 1923, with the [[2015 Sabah earthquake|2015 earthquake]] being the latest major earthquake.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://enewsletter.ntu.edu.sg/(X(1)S(i2pwxfhr1zwo3in5gfntvwxv))/classact/Jun15/Pages/cn10.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 |title=Shedding new light on recent Sabah earthquake |publisher=[[Nanyang Technological University]] |date=June 2015 |access-date=6 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521133305/http://enewsletter.ntu.edu.sg/(X(1)S(i2pwxfhr1zwo3in5gfntvwxv))/classact/Jun15/Pages/cn10.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 |archive-date=21 May 2016 }}</ref> The Crocker Ranges together with Mount Kinabalu was formed since during the middle [[Miocene]] period after being uplifted by the Sabah [[Orogeny]] through compression.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.univpgri-palembang.ac.id/perpus-fkip/Perpustakaan/Geography/Geografi%20Fisik/Geografi%20Fisik%20Asia%20Tenggara.pdf |title=The Physical Geography of Southeast Asia |editor=Avijit Gupta |publisher=Oxford University Press |via=Universitas PGRI, Palembang |year=2005 |access-date=23 May 2016 |page=15, 17 |isbn=978-0-19-924802-5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523121826/http://www.univpgri-palembang.ac.id/perpus-fkip/Perpustakaan/Geography/Geografi%20Fisik/Geografi%20Fisik%20Asia%20Tenggara.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2016 }}</ref> There was some snow here in 1975 and 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doesitsnowin.com/malaysia/ |title=Does It Snow In Malaysia? – Everything You Need To Know |publisher=Doesitsnowin.com |date= 31 May 2021|access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" caption="Landscapes of Sabah">
File:Subsidiary peak, Mount Kinabalu.jpg|Subsidiary peak of [[Mount Kinabalu]]
File:Manukan, Mamutik & Sulug - Happy Islands retouched.jpg|Smile Islands of [[Manukan Island|Manukan]], Mamutik and [[Sulug Island|Sulug]]
File:Lahad-Datu Sabah Panoramic-view-from-Tower-of-Heaven-02.jpg|[[Lahad Datu District]] sea panoramic view
File:Sungai-Padas View-In-Padas-Valley.jpg|Padas River Valley
File:Kudat Sabah Tanjung Simpang Mengayau-12.jpg|The northern tip of Borneo at [[Tanjung Simpang Mengayau]] facing both the [[South China Sea]] and [[Sulu Sea]].
File:Sabah CrockerMountainRange-04.jpg|[[Crocker Range]], the main [[List of mountain ranges|mountain ranges]] in Sabah, part of the [[Crocker Range National Park]].
</gallery>

=== Biodiversity ===
{{see also|Fauna of Borneo|Deforestation in Borneo|List of nematodes in Sabah}}
[[File:Blue-eared Kingfisher (Alcedo meninting).jpg|thumb|right|''[[Blue-eared kingfisher]]'' in the lower Kinabatangan River area, which is endemic to the island of Borneo. Kingfisher is also once a state bird of Sabah and featured in [[Coat of arms of Sabah|one of its coat of arms]].]]
The [[Semporna Peninsula]] on the north-eastern coast of Sabah is identified as a hotspot of high marine biodiversity importance in the [[Coral Triangle]].<ref name="Asaad18">{{cite journal |last1= Asaad |first1= Irawan |last2= Lundquist |first2= Carolyn J. |last3= Erdmann |first3= Mark V. |last4= Costello |first4= Mark J. |title= Delineating priority areas for marine biodiversity conservation in the Coral Triangle  |journal= Biological Conservation |date= June 2018|volume=222 |issue=2 |pages=198–211|doi= 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.03.037|bibcode= 2018BCons.222..198A |url= https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320717310200 }}</ref>

The jungles of Sabah host a diverse array of plant and animal species. Most of Sabah's biodiversity is located in the [[forest reserve]] areas, which formed half of its total landmass of 7.34&nbsp;million hectares.<ref name="biodiversity">{{cite web |url=http://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/80468_forestlandscapes.html |title=Biodiversity conservation in multiple-use forest landscapes in Sabah, Malaysia |publisher=[[Malaysia and the United Nations]] |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524043441/http://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/80468_forestlandscapes.html |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref> Its forest reserve are part of the 20 million hectares equatorial rainforests demarcated under the "[[Heart of Borneo]]" initiative.<ref name="biodiversity"/> The forests surrounding the river valley of Kinabatangan River is the largest forest-covered floodplain in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/rivers/irbm/cases/kinabatangan_river_case_study/ |title=Case study on river management: Kinabatangan |publisher=[[World Wide Fund for Nature]] |access-date=20 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520142254/http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/rivers/irbm/cases/kinabatangan_river_case_study/ |archive-date=20 May 2016 }}</ref> The [[Crocker Range National Park]] is the largest [[national park]] in the state, covering an area of 139,919 hectares. Most of the park area are covered in dense forest and important as a water catchment area with its [[river source|headwater]] connecting to five major rivers in the west coast area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabahparks.org.my/the-parks/crocker-range-park |title=Introduction to Crocker Range Park |publisher=[[Sabah Parks]] |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524034536/http://www.sabahparks.org.my/the-parks/crocker-range-park |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref> [[Kinabalu National Park]] was inscribed as a [[World Heritage Site]] by UNESCO in 2000 for its richness in plant diversity combined with its unique geological, topographical, and climatic conditions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1012 |title=Kinabalu Park |publisher=[[UNESCO]] |year=2000 |access-date=24 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520123303/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1012 |archive-date=20 May 2016 }}</ref> The park hosts more than 4,500 species of flora and fauna, including 326 bird and around 100 mammal species along with over 110 land snail species.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/12/chilling-out-a-tropical-destination.html |title=Chilling out in a tropical destination |author=Tan Hee Hui |newspaper=[[The Jakarta Post]] |date=12 June 2011 |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523124237/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/12/chilling-out-a-tropical-destination.html |archive-date=23 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The determinants of land snail diversity along a tropical elevational gradient: insularity, geometry and niches |author1=Thor-Seng Liew |author2=Menno Schilthuizen |author3=Maklarin Lakim |journal=Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah |date=3 December 2009 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02243.x |volume=37 |issue = 6|pages=1071–1078|s2cid=83558264 }}</ref>

[[File:Sandakan Sabah Sepilok-Orangutan-Rehabilitation-Centre-19.jpg|thumb|left|A walkout through the [[Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre]].]]
[[Tiga Island, Malaysia|Tiga Island]] is formed through the eruption of [[mud volcano]] in 1897. The island is now part of the [[Tiga Island National Park]] together with [[Kalampunian Besar Island|Kalampunian Besar]] and [[Kalampunian Damit Island|Kalampunian Damit]] islands as a tourist attractions,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/jpas/news/SITE/SITEppr16.pdf |title=Marine Park Management: Issues and Challenges |author=Maipol Spait |work=Sabah Parks |publisher=Sabah State Government |year=2001 |access-date=24 May 2016 |page=2/11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524041711/http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/jpas/news/SITE/SITEppr16.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref> with a [[mud bath]] tourism.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabahparks.org.my/index.php/the-parks/tunku-abdul-rahman-park/30-sabah-parks/pulau-tiga-park |title=Introduction to Pulau Tiga Park |publisher=Sabah Parks |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524042200/http://www.sabahparks.org.my/index.php/the-parks/tunku-abdul-rahman-park/30-sabah-parks/pulau-tiga-park |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref> The [[Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park]] is a group of five islands of [[Gaya Island|Gaya]], [[Manukan Island|Manukan]], Mamutik, Sapi and [[Sulug Island|Sulug]]. These islands are believed to once connected to the Crocker Range but separated when sea levels rose since the last [[ice age]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabahparks.org.my/the-parks/tunku-abdul-rahman-park |title=Introduction to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park |publisher=Sabah Parks |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524045814/http://www.sabahparks.org.my/the-parks/tunku-abdul-rahman-park |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref> The [[Tun Mustapha Marine Park]] is the largest [[marine park]] located in the north of Sabah. It covers the three major islands of [[Banggi Island|Banggi]], [[Balambangan Island|Balambangan]] and [[Malawali Island|Malawali]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=110149 |title=Nation's biggest marine park |newspaper=Daily Express |date=27 May 2016 |access-date=27 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527094135/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=110149 |archive-date=27 May 2016 }}</ref> Another marine park is the [[Tun Sakaran Marine Park]] located in the south-east of Sabah. The park comprising the islands of [[Bodgaya Island|Bodgaya]], [[Boheydulang Island|Boheydulang]], Sabangkat and Salakan along with sand [[cay]]s of Maiga, Mantabuan and Sibuan. Bodgaya is gazetted as a forest reserve, while Boheydulang as a [[bird sanctuary]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Status of Coral Reef Communities on Two Carbonate Platforms (Tun Sakaran Marine Park, East Sabah, Malaysia) |author1=A. Montagne |author2=O. Naim |author3=C. Tourrand |author4=B. Pierson |author5=D. Menier |journal=Journal of Ecosystems |volume=2013 |pages=1–15 |date=2013 |doi=10.1155/2013/358183|url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00879576/file/358183.pdf |doi-access=free }}</ref> These islands are formed by Quaternary pyroclastic material that was ejected during explosive volcanic activities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabahparks.org.my/the-parks/tun-sakaran-marine-park |title=Introduction to Tun Sakaran Marine Park |publisher=Sabah Parks |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524052739/http://www.sabahparks.org.my/the-parks/tun-sakaran-marine-park |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref>

The [[Tawau Hills National Park]] established as a natural [[water catchment]] area. The park contains rugged volcanic landscapes including a [[hot spring]] and spectacular waterfalls. Bordering the Philippine Turtle Islands is the [[Turtle Islands National Park (Malaysia)|Turtle Islands National Park]], it consists of three islands of Selingaan, Bakkungan Kechil and Gulisaan which is notable as the nesting place for [[green turtle]] and [[hawksbill sea turtle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dmpm.nre.gov.my/why-we-should-protect-turtle.html?&lang=en |title=(Educational) Why We Should Protect Turtle |publisher=Department of Marine Park, Malaysia |date=26 June 2012 |access-date=23 May 2016 |archive-date=19 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919234725/http://www.dmpm.nre.gov.my/why-we-should-protect-turtle.html?&lang=en }}</ref> Other important wildlife regions in Sabah include the [[Maliau Basin]], [[Danum Valley]], [[Tabin]], Imbak Canyon and [[Sepilok]]. These places are either designated as national parks, wildlife reserves, virgin jungle reserves, or protection forest reserve. Beyond the coasts of Sabah lie a number of islands rich with [[coral reefs]] such as Ligitan, Sipadan, Selingaan, Tiga and [[Layang-Layang Island|Layang-Layang]] (Swallow Reef). Other main islands including the [[Jambongan Island|Jambongan]], [[Timbun Mata Island|Timbun Mata]], Bum Bum and the divided [[Sebatik Island|Sebatik]]. The Sabah state government has enacted several laws to protect its forests and endangered wildlife species under the Animals Ordinance 1962,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mvc.gov.my/doc_downloads/Sabah__AnimalsOrdinance1962.pdf |title=Animals Ordinance |publisher=Malaysian Veterinary Council |year=1962 |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317094502/http://mvc.gov.my/doc_downloads/Sabah__AnimalsOrdinance1962.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2016 }}</ref> Forest Enactment 1968<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lawnet.sabah.gov.my/lawnet/sabahlaws/StateLaws/ForestEnactment1968.pdf |title=Forest Enactment |publisher=Sabah State Government (State Attorney-General's Chambers) |year=1968 |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524135049/http://www.lawnet.sabah.gov.my/lawnet/sabahlaws/StateLaws/ForestEnactment1968.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref> and the [[Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997]]<ref name="wildlife enactment">{{cite web |url=http://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/wildlife-conservation-enactment-1997_html/Wildlife_Conservation_Enactment.pdf |title=Wildlife Conservation Enactment |publisher=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime |year=1997 |access-date=24 May 2016 |page=19/89 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524140328/http://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/wildlife-conservation-enactment-1997_html/Wildlife_Conservation_Enactment.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref> among others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://foreversabah.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Environmental-Law-and-Policy-in-Sabah-Vol.-3-Forests-Mangroves-and-Wildlife-Reserves.pdf |title=Environmental Law and Policy in Sabah: From Ridge to Reef – Volume 3: Forests, Mangroves and Wildlife Reserves |publisher=Sabah Forever |year=2015 |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524141037/http://foreversabah.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Environmental-Law-and-Policy-in-Sabah-Vol.-3-Forests-Mangroves-and-Wildlife-Reserves.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref><ref name="forestry laws">{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/forestry/10515-0462aee542d13dc983cd2bb1d09c073fa.pdf |title=Case study: Sabah forest ownership |author1=Su Mei Toh |author2=Kevin T. Grace |work=Global Forestry Services Inc. |publisher=FTP |page=2/27 (254) and 26/27 (278) |access-date=24 May 2018 |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028061610/https://www.fao.org/forestry/10515-0462aee542d13dc983cd2bb1d09c073fa.pdf }}</ref> Under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment, any persons hunting inside conservation lands are liable for imprisonment for five years and fined with [[Malaysian ringgit|RM]]50,000.<ref name="wildlife enactment"/> The state government also plans to implement seasonal huntings as part of its conservation efforts to prevent the continuous lose of its endangered wildlife species while maintaining the state indigenous hunting traditions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/05/21/sabah-moves-to-protect-wildlife-state-may-implement-seasonal-hunting-as-part-of-its-conservation-eff/ |title=State may implement seasonal hunting as part of its conservation effort |author=Stephanie Lee |work=The Star |date=21 May 2016 |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524150853/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/05/21/sabah-moves-to-protect-wildlife-state-may-implement-seasonal-hunting-as-part-of-its-conservation-eff/ |archive-date=24 May 2016 }}</ref>

==== Conservation issues ====
[[File:District-Tawau Sabah Logging-Trucks-01.jpg|thumb|right|A lorry carrying timber in Tawau. Logging has contributed over 50% of the state revenue.<ref name="logging">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=20000701&id=cRwrAAAAIBAJ&pg=4032,4382687&hl=en |title=Official: Forests in Sabah depleting fast due to logging |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=1 July 2000 |access-date=25 May 2016}}</ref>]]
Since the post-World War II timber boom driven by the need of raw materials from [[Developed country|industrial countries]], Sabah forests have been gradually eroded by uncontrolled timber exploitation and the conversion of Sabah forest lands into [[palm oil]] plantations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/jpas/issues/Environmental_Issues.pdf |title=Environmental Issues in Sabah |publisher=Sabah State Government |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525054412/http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/jpas/issues/Environmental_Issues.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> Since 1970, forestry sector have contributed for over 50% of the state revenue, of which a study conducted in 1997 revealed the state had almost depleted all of its [[Old-growth forest|virgin forests]] outside the conservation areas.<ref name="logging"/> The state government were determined to maintain the state biodiversity while to make sure the state economy continue to alive.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=104524 |title=Respect Sabah's forestry rights, Department tells Minister |newspaper=Daily Express |date=17 November 2015 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525045642/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=104524 |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> While in the same time facing hard task to control such activities although there is laws to prevent it.<ref name="forestry laws"/> The need for development and basic necessities also became an issue while to preserving the nature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/borneo_deforestation/ |title=Threats to Borneo forests |publisher=World Wide Fund for Nature |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525051215/http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/borneo_deforestation/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=107421 |title=Protest over NGOs' meddling |newspaper=Daily Express |date=8 March 2016 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525051709/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=107421 |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> Mining activities had directly released [[Toxic heavy metal|pollutants of heavy metals]] into rivers, reservoirs, ponds and affecting groundwater through the leaching of mine [[tailings]]. An environmental report released in 1994 reported the presence of heavy metal at the Damit/Tuaran River that exceeded the water quality safe levels for consumption. The water in Liwagu River also reported the presence of heavy metal which was believed to be originated from the [[Mamut Mine]].<ref name="env">{{cite web |url=http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/jpas/programs/ecd-cab/background/SoE2306.pdf |title=A report on the State of the Environment in Sabah |author1=Eric Juin |author2=Yabi Yangkat |author3=Carsten Hollaender Laugesen |publisher=Sabah State Government |year=2000 |access-date=28 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528151202/http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/jpas/programs/ecd-cab/background/SoE2306.pdf |archive-date=28 May 2016 }}</ref> [[Wildfire|Forest fire]] also have become the latest concern due to drought and fires set by irresponsible farmers or individuals such as what happened in the [[2016 Malaysian haze|2016 forest fires]], where thousands of hectares of forest reserves in [[Binsuluk Forest Reserve|Binsuluk]] on the west coast of Sabah were lost.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/discover/conservation/forest-fire-management |title=Forest Fire Management |publisher=Sabah Forestry Department |access-date=17 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717101149/http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/discover/conservation/forest-fire-management |archive-date=17 July 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/137239/small-fires-farmers-causing-sabahs-choking-haze |title=Small fires by farmers causing Sabah's choking haze |author=Olivia Miwil |newspaper=New Straits Times |date=4 April 2016 |access-date=17 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717101752/http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/137239/small-fires-farmers-causing-sabahs-choking-haze |archive-date=17 July 2016 }}</ref>

[[File:Ranau-Sabah-MamutCopperMine-03.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of [[Mamut Mine]] with water that has filled the mine. Its water is reported to be dangerous for consumption due to the high presence of [[Toxic heavy metal|heavy metals]].]]
Rampant [[blast fishing|fish bombing]] has destroyed many coral reefs and affecting fisheries production in the state.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/04/13/cutting-the-fuse-of-fish-bombing/ |title=Cutting the fuse of fish bombing |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=13 April 2014 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531083916/http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/04/13/cutting-the-fuse-of-fish-bombing/ |archive-date=31 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2014/jul/01/blast-fishing-borneo-bombs-coral-reefs |title=Blast fishing in Borneo: 'bombs are quick, but they kill the coral reefs' |author=Johnny Langenheim |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=1 July 2014 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531094840/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2014/jul/01/blast-fishing-borneo-bombs-coral-reefs |archive-date=31 May 2016 }}</ref> Moreover, the illegal activities of the extraction of river sand and gravel in the rivers of Padas, Papar and Tuaran had become the latest concern along with the wildlife and marine hunting and [[poaching]].<ref name="env"/> Due to severe deforestation along with massive wildlife and marine poaching, the [[Sumatran rhinoceros|Sumatran rhino]] have been declared as extinct in early 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2015/04/officials-sumatran-rhino-is-extinct-in-the-wild-in-sabah/ |title=Officials: Sumatran rhino is extinct in the wild in Sabah |author=Jeremy Hance |publisher=Mongabay |date=23 April 2015 |access-date=25 May 2016 |page=7 (9/34) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525060836/https://news.mongabay.com/2015/04/officials-sumatran-rhino-is-extinct-in-the-wild-in-sabah/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> Some other species that was threatened with extinction is [[banteng]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/02/11/banteng-next-on-extinction-list-after-rhino-in-sabah/ |title=Banteng next on extinction list after rhino in Sabah? |work=Bernama |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=11 February 2015 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525064938/http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/02/11/banteng-next-on-extinction-list-after-rhino-in-sabah/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> [[Bornean bearded pig|bearded pig]],<ref name="wpd">{{cite web |url=http://www.ums.edu.my/ibtpv2/images/publication/JTBC/JTBC-VOL-9/anna%20wong%20et%20al.pdf |title=A study on hunting activity of Sambar deer and Bearded pig in Paitan Forest Reserve, Pitas, Sabah, Malaysia |author1=Anna Wong |author2=Yong Huaimei |author3=Christopher Wong |author4=Jumrafiah Abd Shukor |work=Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation, Sabah Wildlife Department |publisher=Universiti Malaysia Sabah |year=2012 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525092328/http://www.ums.edu.my/ibtpv2/images/publication/JTBC/JTBC-VOL-9/anna%20wong%20et%20al.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> [[clouded leopard]], [[dugong]],<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://eprints.ums.edu.my/1122/ |title=Indigenous use and trade of Dugong (Dugong dugon) in Sabah, Malaysia |journal=Ambio |volume=35 |issue=5 |pages=266–268 |author1=Leela Rajamani |author2=S. Annabel Cahanban |author3=Ridzwan Abdul Rahman |year=2006 |access-date=25 May 2016 |doi=10.1579/05-S-093.1|pmid=16989512 |bibcode=2006Ambio..35..266R |s2cid=3168817 }}</ref> [[Borneo elephant|elephant]], [[false gharial]], green turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, [[Bornean orangutan|orangutan]], [[sunda pangolin|pangolin]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/08/20/pangolins-face-bleak-future-going-extinct-sabah/ |title=Pangolins face bleak future, going extinct in Sabah |author=Sandra Sokial |newspaper=The Rakyat Post |date=20 August 2014 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525070550/http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/08/20/pangolins-face-bleak-future-going-extinct-sabah/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> [[proboscis monkey]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/proboscis_monkey/cons |title=Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) |publisher=National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525093546/http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/proboscis_monkey/cons |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> [[Borneo river shark|river shark]],<ref name="sharks and stingray">{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/04/27/sharks-on-the-edge-of-extinction-ssa-to-focus-on-borneo-river-species-and-roughnose-stingray-populat/ |title=Sharks on the edge of extinction |work=The Star |date=27 April 2015 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525074849/http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/04/27/sharks-on-the-edge-of-extinction-ssa-to-focus-on-borneo-river-species-and-roughnose-stingray-populat/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> [[roughnose stingray]],<ref name="sharks and stingray"/> [[sambar deer]], [[Borneo shark|shark]] and [[sun bear]].<ref name="wpd"/><ref>{{*}} {{cite web |url=http://www.bsbcc.org.my/bear-talk-blog/saving-borneos-sun-bears |title=Saving Borneo's sun bears |work=New Sabah Times |publisher=[[Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre]] |date=18 October 2008 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525071809/http://www.bsbcc.org.my/bear-talk-blog/saving-borneos-sun-bears |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}<br />{{*}} {{cite web |url=http://www.wildlife.sabah.gov.my/?q=en/content/protected-species |title=Protected Species |publisher=Sabah Wildlife Department |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525100939/http://www.wildlife.sabah.gov.my/?q=en%2Fcontent%2Fprotected-species |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}<br />{{*}} {{cite web |url=http://ww2.sabah.gov.my/sabc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=66 |title=Endangered and Protected Species |publisher=Sabah Biodiversity Centre |access-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> Although the indigenous community are also involved in hunting, they hunt based on their [[Spiritualism (beliefs)|spiritual believes]] and practice, and on a small scale, which differentiates them from poachers.<ref name="indigenous knowledge">{{cite web |url=http://www.ijssh.org/papers/88-CH016.pdf |title=Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Conservation in Sabah, Malaysia |author1=A. Ab. Halim |author2=N. Othman |author3=S. R. Ismail |author4=J. A. Jawan |author5=N. N. Ibrahim |publisher=International Journal of Social Science and Humanity |year=2012 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525103446/http://www.ijssh.org/papers/88-CH016.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2016 }}</ref> Well-known indigenous practices, such as "''maganu totuo''" or "''montok kosukopan''", "''tuwa di powigian''", "''managal''" or "''tagal''" and "''meminting''", have helped to maintain resources and prevent their depletion.<ref name="indigenous knowledge"/>