Jason Isley, Scubazoo’s managing director and head of publications, on stage presenting ‘The Green Heart of Sabah’ to Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia; Datuk Sam Mannan, Director of Sabah Forestry Department; and Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, Chief Minister of Sabah.
Sabah Forestry Department’s ‘Centennial Celebration’ at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu.
Scubazoo are proud to announce the official launch of our coffee table book The Green Heart of Sabah. The launch took place at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday 9th November as part of the Sabah Foresty Department’s ‘Centennial Celebration’ – commemorating their 100 year anniversary.
On the night, Datuk Sam Mannan, Director of Sabah Foresty Department, treated all guests to a very warm welcome, including VIPs Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, Chief Minister of Sabah. Following a welcome speech by Datuk Sam Mannan, and a ‘Centennial Celebration’ launching speech by Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, VIPs, invited guests, and members of the public were then entertained with a centennial special video presentation, and the dazzling ‘Centennial Parade’ by the Sabah Foresty Department, featuring marches, music, and dances. This was then followed by the official launching of The Green Heart of Sabah, as Jason Isley presented our new publication on stage to Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Sam Mannan, and Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman.
The Green Heart of Sabah is a journey into the richest terrestrial habitats on our planet – the tropical rainforests that cloak Sabah’s interior. Covering the conservation areas that form the core of Sabah’s ‘Green Heart’ – Danum Valley, Maliau Basin, Imbak Canyon and Gunung Silam, the book explores the different types of forest found within these remarkable landscapes, the many plant and animal species that call them home and the complex ecosystems that have evolved here over millions of years. Today, these conservation areas are vital refuges for rare and endangered species such as Bornean Orangutans, Sumatran Rhinos and Bornean Pygmy Elephants, and provide vital ecosystem-related services to the people of Sabah.
“The Green Heart of Sabah took Scubazoo’s photographers away from their usual environment of the underwater world deep into the beautiful, but harsh, rainforest. A total of 127 days of shooting were needed to capture the stunning images, however the really hard work was accomplished back in our office as we only had a total of four months to complete the book in time for Sabah Forestry Department’s ‘Centennial Celebration’. Even with the limited time available I truly believe this is the best book our team have published so far.”
– Jason Isley (Scubazoo Managing Director & Head of Publications)
Green Heart of Sabah was written by Matt Oldfield. Photographs by Jason Isley, Ch’ien Lee, Christian Loader, Matt Oldfield, Gil Woolley, with additional photography by Bob Hartley, Simon Enderby and Roger Munns. A big thanks to the rangers, field guides and support staff at each of the locations without whose hard work and field knowledge, making this book would have been impossible.
The Green Heart of Sabah (ISBN 97896710528-3-9) is available to purchase here for RM195 (US$60).
A herd of Bornean Pygmy Elephants walking through a river in Imbak Canyon Conservation Area.
A Bornean Orangutan feeding in the forest canopy in Danum Valley Conservation Area.
A Sumatran Pit Viper resting on a branch in Danum Valley Conservation Area.
A Green Mantis feeding on a katydid in Danum Valley Conservation Area.