AHH! What’s that? As it turns out, it was just a local huntsman spider quietly keeping the insect population at KL East Park in check, doing its part to balance the ecosystem.
That was just one of many reactions I had during the night walk organised by Sime Darby Property on Oct 31.
Initially, I have to admit my first emotion was fear at the thought of encountering spiders, snakes and various other creepy crawlies – a long-standing fear of mine.
The walk was held as part of Sime Darby Property’s “Know Your Naturehood” initiative, which aims to deepen awareness and appreciation of local biodiversity.
Inspired by this ethos, I resolved to face my fears head-on, armed only with a headlamp and trust in our nature guides to lead us safely through the dark.
At the park, while cicadas create a raucous chorus during the day, crickets take centre stage at night, filling the air with their steady chirping.
To quell my fears, I spoke to the nature guides who would be leading the walk, Afif Nahrul and Raiandy Ramli, beforehand to better understand what to expect and how to stay safe. Raiandy said that not all forest creatures are dangerous, noting that each species has its own behaviours and defensive mechanisms.
“For example, snakes have a specific distance within which they feel threatened. As long as we maintain a certain distance and do not approach them, they will simply pass us by.”
Both guides were passionate about making sure people understand these animals, believing that educational activities like the night walk can dispel people’s fear and misconceptions.
“It is about changing human perceptions and helping people understand what is necessary and what is not, so that they can feel safe around these animals,” he said.
Recalling the Malay proverb “tak kenal maka tak cinta”, Afif said that the key was to help people understand and appreciate the animals.
“We have to get people to know these creatures and understand what makes them special. Once they do, love will replace fear,” he said.
With those encouraging words in mind, I set off into the dark with the other eager participants, from young adults to families with young children.
The guides ensured our safety by reminding us to maintain a safe distance from the creatures and to always stay on designated trails.
Along the trail, we spotted a variety of wildlife, including different species of spiders, frogs and toads, as well as birds, moths and caterpillars.
At one point, Afif picked up a toad and brought it closer for us to see. While the sight was initially startling, his calm and composed demeanour quickly put me at ease, reassuring me that there was little to fear in the forest.
He explained that the spiders we spotted that night were nocturnal hunters and their main targets were moths, as well as other insects such as flies.
“If these types of spiders were not present, there would be fewer animals to control the insect population during the nighttime, which could lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem,” he said.
Similarly, frogs also help regulate insect numbers, as they primarily feed on them, he said.
When the walk finally came to an end, I stepped off the trail with a newfound appreciation for the hidden world around us.
Seeing firsthand how calm these creatures actually were and learning how vital they are to the environment completely reframed my perspective.
The very animals I had feared for so long were simply hard at work, maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem.
Sime Darby Property continues its urban biodiversity campaign at KL East Park once again for the next birdwatching session on Nov 14.
